Nigeria seeks African defence self-reliance as AFRIDEX 2026 ends

By Chuks Oyema-Aziken

Nigeria has called on African countries to strengthen indigenous defence production, deepen regional security cooperation and assert greater influence in global security decisions as the African Defence Exhibition and Conference (AFRIDEX 2026) ended in Lagos.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), made the call during a strategic engagement with visiting African Ministers of Defence and Chiefs of Defence Staff, stressing the need for the continent to move away from dependence on foreign military equipment and external powers.

The Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, said in a statement on Thursday that Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to continental solidarity, collective security and the development of indigenous defence capabilities. She said the minister urged African nations to ensure that defence partnerships reflect the continent’s priorities and respect national sovereignty.

Musa also called for a common African position on security matters amid growing geopolitical competition and external interference, emphasising the need for stronger African representation in global security decision-making.

He highlighted the importance of strengthening the African Union Peace and Security Architecture and improving coordination among continental, regional and national defence institutions.

Addressing security challenges across the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, Horn of Africa and parts of Central and Southern Africa, the minister said terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime required coordinated cross-border responses rather than fragmented national efforts.

He advocated stronger cooperation between ECOWAS member states and the Alliance of Sahel States, alongside diplomatic and peacebuilding initiatives to address protracted conflicts in Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The minister further stressed the need for integrated governance approaches to tackle the root causes of instability and protect civilians.

On defence industrialisation, Musa identified Africa’s dependence on foreign military equipment, spare parts and technical support as a major vulnerability, calling for increased local production, technology transfer and joint maintenance ventures.

He also urged African countries to make the African Standby Force fully operational through sustainable funding, improved responsiveness and strategic mobility.

According to him, enhanced maritime surveillance and coordinated naval exercises were equally necessary to protect strategic sea routes in the Gulf of Guinea and the Red Sea.

To ensure the implementation of resolutions reached at the meeting, the minister proposed a structured follow-up mechanism among participating defence institutions to coordinate joint training, intelligence sharing and defence industrial partnerships.

He said Nigeria was ready to collaborate with other African countries to build a secure, united and self-reliant continent.

The meeting congratulated Nigeria on organising the maiden AFRIDEX, pledging to support efforts to sustain the exhibition as a platform for advancing Africa’s security sovereignty.

The post Nigeria seeks African defence self-reliance as AFRIDEX 2026 ends appeared first on THE AUTHORITY NEWS.