Nigeria to host AFRIDEX 2026, Africa’s largest defence, security exhibition
By: Zagazola Makama
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has signed an agreement with a United Kingdom–based company for the hosting of the Africa Defence and Security Exhibition (AFRIDEX 2026) in Lagos.
AFRIDEX, billed as Africa’s largest defence and security exhibition, will bring together global leaders, innovators and policymakers to deliberate on strategies for strengthening security across the continent.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the hosting was signed on Tuesday by Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, Director-General of DICON, and Mr Nick Ornstein, Vice-President of DMG Events, UK, on the margins of the ongoing inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja.
The 4-day exhibition, scheduled to take place in Lagos from Oct. 25, 2026, will showcase cutting-edge technologies, foster strategic partnerships, and provide a platform to shape the future of Africa’s defence industry.
Speaking at the signing, Maj.-Gen. Alaya described the agreement as a demonstration of “trust, collaboration and shared vision to deliver a world-class exhibition here in Nigeria.”
He added that AFRIDEX 2026 would unite military officials, government representatives, and technology pioneers from across the globe.
Ornstein said DMG Events was committed to ensuring that the exhibition delivers a comprehensive platform for networking, innovation, and knowledge exchange among defence and security stakeholders.
AFRIDEX is expected to attract defence ministers, service chiefs, industry leaders, and international partners, making it the most significant defence and security showcase ever hosted on the African continent.
