AFRIDEX 2026: CDS DEEPENS GLOBAL DEFENCE TIES, COURTS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Oluyede Meets Top Military Leaders from US, Italy, Poland, UAE, Others to Advance Security Cooperation

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has intensified Nigeria’s drive for international defence cooperation through high-level diplomatic and bilateral engagements with military leaders and defence industry representatives from several countries at the ongoing African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos.

The engagements brought together senior defence officials from Poland, Italy, Guinea-Bissau, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM), with discussions focusing on strengthening military partnerships, defence technology, professional training and joint responses to emerging security threats.

In a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the meetings were described as part of Nigeria’s commitment to constructive defence diplomacy and the expansion of strategic partnerships to advance national and regional security.

Among the dignitaries received by General Oluyede was the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Nigeria, Mr Michał Cygan, who led a delegation of defence industry executives. Their discussions explored opportunities for collaboration in defence technology, equipment acquisition and capacity development.

Other senior military officials who met with the CDS included General Dagvin Anderson, Commander of US AFRICOM; General Luciano Portolano, Chief of Defence Staff of the Italian Armed Forces; Lieutenant General Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau; General Hulumende Fakudze, Commander of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force; and Brigadier General Mohammed Sultan Yousef Al Nuaimi of the UAE.

The engagements provided a platform for exchanging perspectives on shared security concerns, military education, capacity building, defence technology transfer and operational cooperation.

Discussions with the US AFRICOM commander centred on sustaining the existing strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in addressing shared security challenges and strengthening military cooperation.

Engagements with Italy focused on expanding collaboration in military training, maritime security and specialised capabilities, including police training.

The discussions with Guinea-Bissau reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability, respect for national sovereignty and the development of defence capabilities, while engagements with Eswatini and the UAE highlighted opportunities to deepen strategic relations and promote defence-industrial cooperation.

The partnerships are expected to support broader efforts to address transnational crime and other evolving security threats confronting Nigeria and the wider African continent.

General Oluyede emphasised the importance of sustained military-to-military dialogue and mutually beneficial partnerships, describing them as essential to improving operational effectiveness and promoting regional and global peace and stability.

The engagements at AFRIDEX 2026 underscore the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening international defence relations, expanding cooperation with strategic partners and pursuing collaborative approaches to national, regional and global security challenges.