By Stella Odueme
The United Kingdom and Nigeria have reaffirmed their resolve to expand bilateral security and defence cooperation at the inaugural Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos.
The exhibition provided a platform for African and international stakeholders to discuss shared security challenges, explore defence technologies and strengthen partnerships in trade, investment and industrial development.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Onyinye Madu of the British High Commission Communications Office, the UK's participation reflected its commitment to advancing the Security and Defence Partnership with Nigeria within the framework of the broader UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership.
The event was organised through a collaboration between British events company DMG Events and Nigeria's Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), bringing together government officials, military representatives, defence experts and industry leaders.
Major General John Clarke CBE, Commander of the Integrated Global Defence Network at the UK Ministry of Defence, led the British delegation. He delivered the UK's keynote address and participated in a panel session focused on defence partnerships.
Clarke stressed the importance of building partnerships that respond to national priorities, strengthen institutions and develop sustainable defence capabilities.
He observed that security and prosperity were closely connected, noting that effective defence cooperation could promote skills development, encourage innovation, strengthen institutional capacity and generate opportunities for economic growth.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, the UK hosted a reception attended by senior officials from Nigeria and Britain, alongside representatives of the diplomatic community, trade and business sectors.
His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Africa, Alastair Long, welcomed participants and highlighted the potential for British expertise and capabilities to support businesses and partners across African markets.
Other prominent attendees included DICON Director-General, Major General Ibrahim Babatunde Alaya; Nigeria's Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Akomaye Undiandeye; British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter; British Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Brigadier Thomas Harper MBE; and Major General Clarke.
Representatives of DMG Events and other defence industry players were also present.
Harper, who doubles as Head of British Defence Staff for West Africa, described AFRIDEX as an important African-led initiative that enables countries to understand one another's priorities and identify practical areas for collaboration.
He emphasised that the UK-Nigeria relationship was built around long-term cooperation, with particular attention to institutional strengthening, sustainable defence capabilities and partnerships capable of delivering measurable benefits to both countries.
Throughout the exhibition, British officials engaged with their African and international counterparts on common security concerns, defence capacity development and opportunities to expand cooperation between governments and private-sector stakeholders.
The engagements also highlighted the contribution of defence partnerships to broader economic development through increased trade, investment and shared prosperity.
The British High Commission said the country's participation demonstrated its commitment to translating the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership into practical outcomes through closer diplomatic engagement, defence collaboration and commercial cooperation aimed at promoting regional stability and economic development.