Skip to main content

Nigeria Customs Backs Africa’s First Defence and Security Exhibition ‎…As Nigeria Prepares to Host Historic 2026 Event

By Anne Ejuka


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 described AFRIDECS as not only 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.

‎


‎He 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.

‎

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NCS Medical Team Trains Apapa Area Command Officers On First Aid

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) medical team yesterday trained officers and men of the Apapa Area Command on basic first aid training. ‎ ‎The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba according to a press release issued by the public relations officer of the command, Superintendent of Customs SC JT Ayagbalo described the initiative as a crucial investment in workplace safety and operational readiness. ‎ ‎In his welcome address, Comptroller Oshoba emphasized that the programme reflects the priority placed on staff welfare by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. ‎ ‎He described first aid knowledge as a universal life skill that every adult should possess, especially officers as they are frequently exposed to high-risk operational environments. ‎ ‎ Oshoba noted that simple but timely interventions such as; CPR, bleeding control, choking relief and stroke recognition often determine whether a victim survives, fully recov...
Post a Comment
Read more

KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN (KSJI) TAKES A SWIPE AT BAD LEADERSHIPS IN NIGERIA

By Anne Ejuka
  Maj. Gen. (Prof) Remy Uche,  KSJI Supreme Subordinate President, Nigeria. As Christians all over the world marked  the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist on August 29 commemoration of his beheading by King Herod for speaking up to the truth, the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) of the Roman Catholic Church has taken a swipe against which it described as obnoxious and draconian leaderships in many spheres of life in Nigeria. The Knights of St. John International (KSJI), a sodality organisation of men and women looked up to in the Roman Catholic Church as people of integrity, is not happy with the current situation in the country where leaders in some places are not serving expectedly. According to a press statement made by the KSJI leader in Nigeria (Supreme Subordinate President), Maj Gen. Remy Uche (Prof), and signed on his behalf, by his Chief of Staff, Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu, to mark the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint...
Post a Comment
Read more

NIMASA Reshuffles Management Team For Enhanced Efficiency And Inter-departmental Collaboration

By Anne Ejuka
I n an exercise aimed  at strengthening  inter-departmental collaboration and inject new energy into the system to further improve performance and enhance efficiency across the maritime sector, The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced a strategic redeployment of its management staff as part of efforts to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery in line with its core mandate.   Under the new structure, according to a press statement issued by Mr. Edward Osagie FNIPR,  Head, Public Relations Officer of the agency, a total of 56 management staff were affected in the exercise. Notable amongst those redeployed are; Hajia Moji Jimoh who becomes Director, Administration and Human Resources; Aishatu Jidda, Director, Planning, Research and Data Management Services; Barr. Heaky Dimowo, Director, Legal Services/Board Secretary; Isichei Osamgbi, Director, SERVICOM; and Mrs. Olubusola Obasanjo-Akande, Director, Western Zone. Othe...
Post a Comment
Read more