President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has urged African countries to reduce their dependence on imported defence equipment and invest in local manufacturing, technology transfer and indigenous expertise to strengthen the continent’s security capabilities.
Akpabio made the call on Monday while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the opening ceremony of the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos.
He argued that defence partnerships should go beyond the purchase of military hardware to include technology transfer, specialised training, industrial development and the strengthening of local institutions.
According to him, the effectiveness of Africa’s defence cooperation should be measured by the capabilities countries develop and sustain, particularly their ability to design, manufacture, maintain and upgrade equipment needed to address security challenges.
The Senate President noted that Nigeria and other African countries continued to face threats ranging from terrorism and insurgency to banditry, maritime crime and emerging security risks.
He said the scale of these challenges required stronger regional cooperation and sustained investment in defence infrastructure and expertise to protect lives, communities and economic activities.
Akpabio also called for greater collaboration among African countries to improve maritime security, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, which plays a critical role in international trade and energy transportation.
He stressed the need to protect shipping routes, facilitate legitimate commercial activities and prevent criminal networks from exploiting the region’s waterways.
On technological advancement, Akpabio highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced defence systems in modern military operations.
He urged African governments to develop the technical expertise, institutions and regulatory frameworks required to adopt these technologies responsibly while encouraging homegrown innovations tailored to the continent’s security needs.
The Senate President identified Africa’s youthful population as a major asset in efforts to achieve technological advancement and defence self-reliance, calling for greater opportunities for young people to contribute to research, innovation and industrial development.
He also paid tribute to members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who have lost their lives in the line of duty, saying their sacrifices placed an obligation on political leaders to provide adequate equipment, training and institutional support for serving personnel.
Akpabio maintained that sustainable security depended not only on military hardware but also on strong institutions, reliable partnerships and domestic industrial capacity to maintain and upgrade defence systems.
He described AFRIDEX 2026 as an opportunity to connect military expertise with innovation, strengthen indigenous defence industries and develop partnerships capable of delivering practical results.
The Senate President expressed confidence that Africa had the human resources, talent and potential to assume greater responsibility for its security, urging stakeholders to translate commitments made at the exhibition into concrete outcomes.
He said stronger defence capabilities would help protect citizens, reinforce national resilience and create an environment in which peace and stability could support economic growth and opportunities for future generations.
