By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its strong institutional support for Africa’s first-ever comprehensive Defence and Security Exhibition, scheduled to be hosted by Nigeria in 2026, in what is expected to be a landmark event positioning the country as a continental hub for defence innovation, security collaboration, and industrial advancement.
The exhibition, tagged Africa International Defence and Security Exhibition (AFRIDECS), was unveiled during a courtesy visit by the AFRIDECS Steering Committee to the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, 21 January 2026.
The delegation was led by the Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General Babatunde Alaya, who disclosed that the 2026 exhibition would convene military institutions, security agencies, government ministries, defence manufacturers and international partners from across the globe.
Major General Alaya explained that AFRIDECS is designed to showcase Nigeria’s indigenous defence manufacturing capacity and technological innovation across land, sea, air, cyber and space domains, while also providing a global platform for the exchange of cutting-edge security solutions.
“AFRIDECS is conceived to showcase indigenous capabilities and manufacturing, while leveraging the expertise and experience of international defence manufacturers. It will serve as a convergence point for defence, security and technology stakeholders to exchange ideas and innovations,” he stated.
He added that the exhibition is strategically positioned to become Africa’s premier defence and security showcase, reflecting Nigeria’s growing influence in defence industrialisation, regional security cooperation and strategic innovation.
According to him, a multi-agency Steering Committee constituted by Defence Headquarters is overseeing the planning and execution of the event.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adawale Adeniyi, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG), Dera Nnadi reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s readiness to play a critical facilitative and regulatory role in ensuring the success of the exhibition.
DCG Nnadi describes AFRIDECS not only as a security-driven initiative but also as a significant economic, cultural, and diplomatic opportunity for Nigeria.
“This is beyond the security implications. For us in the Nigeria Customs Service, it is an economic opportunity, a cultural gain and a platform to project the best of Nigeria to the international community. Customs will play its role in facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring strict regulatory compliance,” he said.
He assured the Steering Committee of the Service’s commitment to providing seamless Customs processes, particularly in the temporary importation of exhibition equipment, to guarantee ease of entry and exit without compromising national security standards.
Also speaking, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Timi Bomodi, in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, commended DICON for initiating what he described as a bold and strategic exhibition with far-reaching implications for national security and economic development.
DCG Bomodi noted that while the Nigeria Customs Service has extensive experience in handling international exhibitions, AFRIDECS is particularly unique due to the sensitive nature of the items involved, which will primarily consist of military hardware and defence equipment.
He explained that Customs would adopt simplified, transparent temporary importation procedures, provided that all regulatory requirements are met. He stressed the importance of advance notification, detailed documentation and the submission of End User Certificates to ensure proper control, accountability and compliance with national and international regulations.
The Africa International Defence and Security Exhibition, the first of its kind on the continent, is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s image as a leader in defence innovation, deepen international cooperation, unlock economic opportunities, and reinforce the country’s national security architecture, with the Nigeria Customs Service positioned as a key enabler of its success.
