The President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, has charged African countries to strengthen defence partnerships that promote technology transfer, develop local industries and build sustainable military capabilities.
Senate President Akpabio gave the charge in Lagos on Monday while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the opening ceremony of the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026.
Delivering the President’s address, the Senate President said Africa’s defence partnerships must be structured to deliver lasting value beyond the supply of military equipment.
According to Senator Akpabio, who conveyed President Tinubu’s message:
“Our defence partnerships must therefore deliver value long after equipment has been supplied. Every major acquisition should help develop skills, transfer knowledge, strengthen local industry and deepen our capacity to maintain what we operate.
“The measure of a successful partnership is the capability it leaves behind. African engineers must gain expertise; African enterprises must grow; African institutions must become stronger.”
Senator Akpabio, speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, noted that the growing complexity of security threats across the continent demands stronger regional cooperation, strategic investment and collective commitment to protecting African lives and livelihoods.
He stated that emerging threats spanning the Gulf of Guinea, the Sahel, territorial borders, cyberspace and outer space have made African security increasingly interconnected, requiring coordinated responses from governments, defence institutions and industry stakeholders.
“We gather with a shared responsibility: to secure our nations, protect our people and safeguard Africa’s future. Africa’s security must therefore command our collective attention, because there can be no enduring prosperity where fear governs daily life,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s security experience as outlined by Mr. President, the Senate President acknowledged the sacrifices of the Armed Forces in confronting terrorism, insurgency, banditry, piracy and other transnational threats, noting that loss of lives, displacement and disruption of economic activities reinforce the need for sustained investment in defence.
He paid tribute, on behalf of the President, to military personnel who paid the supreme price, stressing that their sacrifices place responsibility on government to provide adequate equipment, training, leadership and operational support.
Senator Dr. Akpabio further conveyed President Tinubu’s charge to African leaders to strengthen support for African-led peace operations through predictable funding, adequate equipment, rigorous training and sustained institutional backing.
“The courage to respond to crises must be matched by predictable resources, adequate equipment, rigorous training and sustained institutional support. Those we send to keep the peace must have the means to keep the peace,” he declared.
On maritime security, the Senate President, delivering the President’s remarks, underscored the strategic importance of the Gulf of Guinea to Africa’s trade, energy security and economic prosperity, calling for stronger cooperation to protect maritime routes and deny criminal networks operational sanctuaries.
He also highlighted emerging technologies – artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space technologies and autonomous systems – as critical areas requiring increased African investment and innovation.
“Cyber capabilities, space technologies, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems are transforming the security environment. Africa must invest in the knowledge and institutions required to understand these technologies, use them responsibly and develop solutions of our own. Our young people have the talent; our responsibility is to create the opportunity,” he stated.
Senator Akpabio charged participants to ensure AFRIDEX 2026 transcends discussions and exhibitions to become a platform for meaningful partnerships, innovation and practical solutions.
“Africa Defence AFRIDEX must become a meeting point where military experience informs innovation, industry strengthens national capability, and partnerships deliver practical solutions. Our purpose is clear: to help build an Africa capable of defending its people and securing the peace upon which progress depends,” he said.
The President of the Senate reiterated Nigeria’s commitment, under President Tinubu’s leadership, to promoting African-led security solutions, strengthening defence cooperation and advancing technological and industrial capabilities, urging participants to translate opportunities into concrete commitments.
“AFRIDEX 2026 marks a renewed determination to turn African potential into African capability. Let the partnerships formed here strengthen our readiness; let the knowledge exchanged here inspire our innovators; and let the commitments made here produce results our people can see. We owe them nations where peace creates opportunity, where service earns trust and where the future can be approached with confidence,” he concluded.
EmemMaria Ntedodom Offiong
Deputy Director (Head: Information, Press and Public Relations)
+2347082203400
Emy.offiong@fmino.gov.ng
26th October, 2026
