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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has thrown its weight behind Africa’s first full-scale Defence and Security Exhibition, set to hold in Nigeria in 2026, in a development expected to cement the country’s status as a continental centre for defence innovation, security cooperation, and industrial progress.
The event, known as the Africa International Defence and Security Exhibition (AFRIDECS), was formally presented during a courtesy visit by the AFRIDECS Steering Committee to the NCS Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, January 21, 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 exhibition will convene military institutions, security agencies, government ministries, defence manufacturers, and international partners from around the world.
Major General Alaya explained that AFRIDECS is designed to spotlight Nigeria’s growing indigenous defence manufacturing capacity and technological capabilities across land, sea, air, cyber, and space, while creating 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 said.
He added that the exhibition is strategically positioned to become Africa’s flagship defence and security showcase, reflecting Nigeria’s expanding influence in defence industrialisation, regional security collaboration, and strategic technological advancement. According to him, a multi-agency Steering Committee established by the Defence Headquarters is currently overseeing the planning and execution of the event.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG), Dera Nnadi, expressed the Service’s commitment to playing a vital facilitative and regulatory role in delivering a successful exhibition. He described AFRIDECS not only as a security-driven initiative but also as a major opportunity for economic growth, cultural promotion, and diplomatic engagement.
“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,” Nnadi said.
He assured the Steering Committee that the Service would deploy efficient and streamlined Customs processes, especially in managing the temporary importation of exhibition equipment, to ensure smooth entry and exit procedures without compromising national security protocols.
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, strategic, and forward-looking exhibition with significant implications for national security and economic development. He noted that while the Nigeria Customs Service has broad experience supporting international exhibitions, AFRIDECS presents unique operational considerations due to the sensitive nature of the items expected to be showcased, particularly military hardware and defence equipment.
Bomodi explained that Customs would adopt simplified, transparent, and efficient temporary importation procedures, provided all regulatory requirements are strictly met. He emphasized the importance of advance notification, detailed documentation, and the submission of End User Certificates to ensure proper oversight, accountability, and compliance with national and international standards.
As the first defence and security exhibition of its kind on the African continent, AFRIDECS is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s global image as a leader in defence innovation, deepen international cooperation, unlock new economic and industrial opportunities, and reinforce the country’s national security framework, with the Nigeria Customs Service positioned as a critical enabler of its success.
