Tinubu: Equipment purchases alone cannot secure Africa

President Bola Tinubu has warned that equipment purchases alone cannot guarantee Africa’s security, urging countries to ensure that defence partnerships promote technology transfer, develop local industries and build the expertise needed to sustain military capabilities.

He urged African countries to make defence partnerships deliver local expertise, industrial growth and sustainable military capabilities.

He spoke at the opening ceremony of the Africa International Defence Exhibition 2026 in Lagos on Monday, where he was represented by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

The President said the continent’s growing security challenges required stronger military cooperation, but stressed that partnerships must leave African countries with the capacity to sustain their own defence systems.

The President said Nigeria’s experience with terrorism, insurgency, banditry and piracy had demonstrated the cost of insecurity, while commending the Armed Forces for their sacrifices.

Those we send to keep the peace must have the means to keep the peace.

On maritime security, the President said African countries must strengthen cooperation to protect the Gulf of Guinea and other maritime havens.

Tinubu also called for greater investment in cyber capabilities, space technologies, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, saying Africa needed the institutions and knowledge to achieve results our people can see.

He said the ultimate objective was to build African nations where peace creates opportunities, public service earns trust and citizens can look to the future with confidence.