Qatar's Barzan, UK deepens defence ties with Nigeria at first AFRIDEX for Lagos

Nigeria push to modernise im military and build weapons for house take centre stage for Lagos this week, as Qatar's Barzan Holdings and the United Kingdom both use the first Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) to find closer defence ties with Abuja.

Dem hold the event for Eko Atlantic City, and Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) organise am with British events firm DMG Events. Barzan, wey be Qatar state-owned defence and security company, na main sponsor.

Barzan regional general manager for Africa, Thamer Al Emadi, tell Nairametrics say talks with Nigerian defence stakeholders cover equipment supply, technology transfer and industrial partnerships. He talk say the company open to solutions wey go suit the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Dem display the Q1 Corner rifle and the newly launched BIG556 rifles, wey Barzan talk say dem design and make am for Qatar. The company wider catalogue include drones, unmanned surface vessels and command-and-control systems wey dem dey use for surveillance and intelligence gathering.

Al Emadi also head DICON-SUR, a joint venture between Qatar and Nigeria defence ministries wey dey operate under DICON supervision. He talk say that existing venture give the two countries a base to build on.

Wetin Nigeria stand to gain

Beyond buying hardware, Barzan talk say dem discuss training, maintenance, repairs and technical support. That one matter for Nigeria because equipment wey dem no fit service locally dey often sit idle, and local assembly or maintenance fit create technical jobs.

Nigeria dey court foreign partners to help produce defence equipment for house. For April, DICON sign memorandum of understanding with EIB Group to produce unmanned systems, military hardware and digital defence technology locally, according to Nairametrics.

The UK, for im part, use the exhibition to reaffirm im security and defence partnership with Nigeria. Major General John Clarke of the UK Ministry of Defence talk for im keynote say security and prosperity depend on each other, and add: "Our ambition na to build enduring relationships wey go strengthen capability, develop skills, support innovation."

Britain defence adviser to Nigeria, Brigadier Thomas Harper, talk say AFRIDEX give partners an African-led platform to hear priorities and find practical areas of cooperation. "The UK partnership with Nigeria build for the long term," he talk.

Nigerian officials for the event include DICON Director-General Major General Ibrahim Babatunde Alaya and Chief of Defence Intelligence Lieutenant General Emmanuel Akomaye Undiandeye. The British side include Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter and trade commissioner for Africa Alastair Long.

Wetin go happen next

Nobody announce contracts or values from either side, so e too early to talk wetin Nigeria go buy or produce. The talks point to possible follow-on deals on weapons, drones, training and local manufacturing, but Nigerians go only see the impact if equipment reach troops and local production create jobs.