The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security partnerships and adopting modern technologies to tackle insecurity in the state and across the North-West region.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), stated this while representing Governor Ahmed Aliyu at the opening ceremony of the Africa International Defence Exhibition, AFRIDEX 2026, held at Eko Atlantic, Lagos.

Usman said AFRIDEX provides a critical platform for strengthening Africa’s collective security architecture through technological innovation, local defence production and strategic cooperation, at a time when threats such as terrorism, banditry and transnational organized crime are evolving.

He noted that Africa must increasingly leverage indigenous research, local manufacturing and technological advancement to develop sustainable solutions to its security challenges, rather than depend entirely on external sources for defence equipment and technologies.

According to him, effective security management goes beyond deploying personnel and military hardware, adding that intelligence gathering, surveillance, modern communication systems, capacity building and inter-agency cooperation are equally important in addressing emerging threats.

He said the Sokoto State Government recognises the importance of strategic partnerships and modern security solutions, and expressed optimism that the exhibition would create opportunities for collaboration in intelligence gathering, equipment manufacturing, border surveillance and unmanned systems.

Organised by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, AFRIDEX 2026, which held from October 26 to 29, brought together government officials, military commanders, defence manufacturers and technology providers, with Sokoto reiterating its readiness to embrace innovative solutions for lasting peace and sustainable development.