The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has intensified Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen international defence cooperation through a series of high-level bilateral engagements with foreign diplomatic and military delegations at the ongoing African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos.
The engagements involved representatives from Poland, Italy, Guinea-Bissau, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM).
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the meetings focused on expanding military cooperation, defence technology transfer, equipment acquisition, professional military education, capacity development and operational collaboration.
Among the dignitaries received by General Oluyede was the Ambassador of Poland to Nigeria, Mr Michał Cygan, who led a delegation of defence industry executives. Their discussions centred on potential partnerships in defence technology, equipment acquisition and capacity building.
The CDS also held engagements with the Commander of US AFRICOM, General Dagvin Anderson; Italy’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano; the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau, Lieutenant General Ibrahima Sory Bangoura; Commander of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force, General Hulumende Fakudze; and Brigadier General Mohammed Sultan Yousef Al Nuaimi of the UAE.
The meeting with US AFRICOM focused on sustaining the existing strategic defence partnership between Nigeria and the United States, while discussions with Italy explored opportunities for expanded cooperation in military training, maritime security and specialised capabilities, including police training.
Engagements with Guinea-Bissau reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability, respect for national sovereignty and defence capacity development.
Similarly, discussions with Eswatini and the UAE explored avenues for strengthening strategic defence relations, promoting defence-industrial cooperation and enhancing joint responses to transnational and emerging security threats.
General Oluyede stressed the importance of sustained military-to-military dialogue and mutually beneficial partnerships, describing them as critical to improving operational effectiveness and advancing regional and global peace and stability.
The engagements form part of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s broader defence diplomacy efforts to secure strategic international partnerships, strengthen military capabilities and advance the country’s national security interests.
AFRIDEX 2026 is providing a platform for Nigeria to engage international defence stakeholders and explore opportunities for collaboration in technology, military equipment and indigenous defence industrial development.
