AFRIDEX 2026: Nigeria’s CDS Pushes For Global Defence Partnerships

AKINSINDE ADEOLA OYINDAMOLA

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has held a series of high-level diplomatic and bilateral engagements on the sides at the ongoing African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos.

The engagements were in furtherance of Nigeria’s drive to strengthen global defence partnerships.

Among the delegations received by the CDS were the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Nigeria, as well as military delegations from Italy, Guinea-Bissau, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the United Arab Emirates and the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM).

The engagements underscore Nigeria’s commitment to advancing military cooperation and collective responses to emerging security challenges.

General Oluyede received the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Mr Michał Cygan, who led a delegation of defence industry executives. Discussions focused on exploring avenues for collaboration in defence technology, equipment acquisition and capacity development.

He also received General Dagvin Anderson, Commander, United States Africa Command, General Luciano Portolano, Chief of Defence Staff of the Italian Armed Forces; Lieutenant General Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau; General Hulumende Fakudze, Commander of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force and Brigadier General Mohammed Sultan Yousef Al Nuaimi of the United Arab Emirates.

The meetings provided opportunities to exchange perspectives on shared security interests, professional military education, capacity building, defence technology transfer and operational cooperation.

The engagement with the Commander United States Africa Command centred on sustaining the existing strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United States. The exchanges with Italy on the other hand aligns with efforts to expand cooperation in military training, maritime security and specialised capabilities including police training while discussions with Guinea-Bissau reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability, respect for national sovereignty and defence capacity development.

Engagements with Eswatini and the United Arab Emirates further reflect Nigeria’s resolve to deepen strategic defence relationships, promote defence-industrial cooperation and strengthen partnerships for addressing transnational and evolving security threats.

General Oluyede emphasised the importance of sustained military-to-military dialogue and mutually beneficial partnerships as critical enablers for enhanced operational effectiveness and for promoting regional and global peace and stability.

These engagements reaffirm the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to constructive defence diplomacy and strategic partnerships that advance Nigeria’s national security interests and contribute to a more peaceful and secure Nigeria, Africa and the world in general.