Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has reaffirmed the FG’s strong commitment to inter-agency collaboration, innovation, and national development during a high level engagement with organisers of the African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo stated this in his office when he received Major General Umar Alkali and his delegation on a courtesy visit. This was contained in a statement signed by Mary Ali (Mrs), Head, Press, and Public Relations.
Speaking during the visit, the Hon. Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo described the initiative as “a very special programme,” emphasizing that meaningful progress within Nigeria’s defence and security architecture can only be achieved through collaboration rather than isolated efforts. He stressed that institutions must embrace openness and partnership to maximize impact and national growth.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo commended the AFRIDEX initiative as a vital platform for both emerging and established innovators, particularly Nigerian youths who continue to demonstrate exceptional creativity in digital and cybersecurity sectors. He noted that providing visibility for such talents is essential for national pride, economic advancement, and global competitiveness.
The Minister further highlighted the importance of research as the backbone of development, calling for stronger linkages between innovation and market opportunities. According to him, creating platforms where innovators, manufacturers, and investors can interact is critical to ensuring that research translates into tangible economic value.
Encouraging the organisers, he advised that AFRIDEX should become an annual event, noting that while the maiden edition may present challenges, it will also provide valuable lessons for future improvements. He also called for broader collaboration across all security and intelligence agencies, stressing that “this is not a time for territorial thinking, but for collective progress.”
Reaffirming the Ministry’s support, the Minister described the initiative as one that represents “the future, not just the present,” adding that sustained efforts in this direction would attract international participation and foster the growth of indigenous industries.
On visa facilitation, Dr. Tunji-Ojo acknowledged ongoing improvements but recommended the establishment of a dedicated support desk to ensure seamless entry processes for the anticipated influx of international participants.
Earlier, Major General Umar Alkali expressed appreciation to the Minister for granting the audience and acknowledged his continued support for capacity building and inter-agency cooperation. The delegation formally introduced AFRIDEX as a premier global defence and security exhibition scheduled to hold from October 26–29, 2026, at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
Organized with the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria and hosted by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the event aims to bring together global leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and innovators. The exhibition will showcase cutting-edge solutions across land, air, maritime, space, and cyber domains, with the expected participation of over 30,000 international attendees and 500 exhibitors.
Akali highlighted the critical role of the Ministry of Interior in ensuring the success of the event, particularly in areas of security and visa facilitation. He formally invited the Honourable Minister to participate while requesting the Ministry’s support in promoting AFRIDEX through its platforms and encouraging participation from agencies under its supervision.
The visit concluded with a mutual commitment to partnership and a shared vision of positioning Nigeria as a global hub for defence innovation and security solutions.
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