The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has thrown its full institutional weight behind Africa’s first-ever comprehensive Defence and Security Exhibition, the Africa International Defence and Security Exhibition (AFRIDECS), slated to be hosted by Nigeria in 2026.
The endorsement, widely seen as a boost to the credibility and scale of the event, underscores Nigeria’s ambition to emerge as a continental hub for defence innovation, security collaboration and industrial advancement.
AFRIDECS was formally unveiled during a courtesy visit by members of its 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.
Major General Alaya disclosed that the 2026 exhibition will convene military institutions, security agencies, relevant government ministries, defence manufacturers and international partners from across the world. He 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 highlight indigenous capabilities and manufacturing, while leveraging the expertise of international defence manufacturers. It will serve as a convergence point for defence, security and technology stakeholders to exchange ideas and innovations,” he said.
According to him, 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. He added that a multi-agency Steering Committee, constituted by Defence Headquarters, is overseeing the planning and execution of the event.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, DCG Dera Nnadi, reaffirmed the Service’s readiness to play a critical facilitative and regulatory role to ensure the success of AFRIDECS.
DCG Nnadi described the exhibition as not only a security-focused initiative but also a significant economic, cultural and diplomatic opportunity for Nigeria.
“This goes beyond security. For 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 facilitate legitimate trade while ensuring strict regulatory compliance,” he stated.
He assured the Steering Committee of seamless Customs processes, particularly with respect to the temporary importation of exhibition equipment, to ensure smooth entry and exit procedures without compromising national security standards.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, DCG Timi Bomodi, 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 managing international exhibitions, AFRIDECS is unique due to the sensitive nature of the items involved, which will largely consist of military hardware and defence equipment.
He explained that Customs would adopt simplified and transparent temporary importation procedures, provided all regulatory requirements are met, stressing the need for advance notification, detailed documentation and End User Certificates to ensure effective control, accountability and compliance with national and international regulations.
AFRIDECS 2026, the first defence and security exhibition of its kind on the African continent, is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s profile 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.
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