ECOWAS advocates stronger defence cooperation

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is taking part within the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX), happening from October 26 to 30, 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The occasion introduced collectively political leaders, defence policymakers, army commanders, defence industrial enterprises, researchers,

and safety consultants from throughout Africa and past.

President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on the opening ceremony, reaffirmed the dedication of the Nigerian authorities to selling peace

and safety on the continent.

The president highlighted the significance of enhanced defence cooperation in addressing evolving safety threats, together with terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, maritime insecurity, cyber threats, and different rising safety challenges confronting the continent.

Delivering a keynote tackle through the opening ceremony, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. General Birame Diop, expressed the appreciation of ECOWAS to President Tinubu for his steadfast dedication to regional peace, safety, and integration agenda.

General Diop described AFRIDEX as a well timed demonstration of Nigeria’s longstanding management in advancing regional peace, safety, and integration.

He emphasised that the exhibition was happening at a vital time characterised by the complicated and difficult safety panorama, the quickly altering geopolitical setting, and constrains within the entry to defence tools, vital applied sciences, and army capabilities highlights the significance of constructing resilience, self-reliance, and indigenous defence capabilities to handle these evolving threats successfully.

The President of the Commission additionally highlighted ongoing efforts by the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to deepen regional defence cooperation, strengthen defence-industrial collaboration, and discover progressive approaches to financing peace and safety initiatives.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission additionally underlined that the continued efforts by ECOWAS to activate the ECOWAS Standby Force combat in opposition to terrorism displays the area’s dedication to collective motion, operational readiness, and self-reliance in addressing up to date safety challenges.

General Diop referred to as for help to initiatives just like the AFRIDEX and the efforts of establishments similar to Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

AFRIDEX serves as a strategic platform for selling defence cooperation, strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing, showcasing rising safety applied sciences, fostering military-industrial partnerships, and advancing collaborative approaches to addressing up to date safety challenges throughout Africa. The exhibition additionally promotes innovation, information change, and funding in defence capabilities that contribute to regional peace, stability, and sustainable improvement.

Other dignitaries in attendance embrace the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, the Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Service Chiefs, senior authorities officers, army officers, and a broad spectrum of serving and retired defence leaders.