AFRIDEX 2026: Oluyede Deepens Global Defence Partnerships with Six Countries

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has held high-level bilateral engagements with military and diplomatic delegations from six countries and the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM) to strengthen Nigeria’s global defence partnerships.

The engagements took place on the sidelines of the ongoing African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos, with discussions focusing on defence technology, military training, equipment acquisition, intelligence cooperation and capacity development.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the delegations received by the CDS included representatives from Poland, Italy, Guinea-Bissau, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the United Arab Emirates and US AFRICOM.

Among those who met with General Oluyede were the Ambassador of Poland to Nigeria, Mr Michał Cygan, who led a delegation of defence industry executives; the Commander of US AFRICOM, General Dagvin Anderson; and Italy’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano.

Others were the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau, Lieutenant General Ibrahima Sory Bangoura; the Commander of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force, General Hulumende Fakudze; and Brigadier General Mohammed Sultan Yousef Al Nuaimi of the United Arab Emirates.

The meeting with the Polish delegation explored opportunities for cooperation in defence technology, equipment procurement and capacity development, particularly in areas that could strengthen Nigeria’s military capabilities.

Discussions with the United States focused on sustaining the existing strategic defence partnership between both countries, while the engagement with Italy examined opportunities to expand cooperation in military training, maritime security and specialised capabilities.

The talks with Guinea-Bissau reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability, respect for national sovereignty and the development of defence capabilities among African countries.

Similarly, engagements with Eswatini and the United Arab Emirates highlighted opportunities to deepen strategic military relations, promote defence-industrial cooperation and strengthen joint responses to emerging and transnational security threats.

The CDS emphasised the importance of sustained military-to-military dialogue and mutually beneficial partnerships in improving operational effectiveness and promoting regional and global peace and stability.

The engagements form part of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s broader defence diplomacy efforts to strengthen international cooperation, advance national security interests and support collective responses to evolving security challenges across Africa and beyond.

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