AFRICOM commander Gen. Anderson tells Nigeria’s AFRIDEX defence show the U.S. stands ready to help “willing and able partners”

The commander of U.S. Africa Command used the opening of Nigeria’s first Africa International Defence Exhibition to pitch deeper security cooperation with African partners, pointing to a joint operation against Islamic State leadership in the Lake Chad Basin in May.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson delivered a keynote address at the exhibition, known as AFRIDEX, in Lagos on 26 and 27 October 2026, according to a U.S. Africa Command release published on 2 November. The command said the delegation also included Amb. Peter Vrooman, deputy to the commander for civil-military engagement, and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Cameron Chen, deputy director of operations.

The Lake Chad operation

Anderson highlighted what he described as a joint U.S.-Nigerian operation in the Lake Chad Basin in May 2026 that killed Abu Bilal al-Minuki, whom he called the second-in-command of ISIS globally. “It was a joint victory built on mutual respect and complementary capabilities,” he said. The account of the operation is that of the U.S. command; the release does not give further operational detail.

Anderson also said developments in Africa will have a substantial effect on the world during the 21st century. “The United States stands ready to help willing and able partners when and where our interests align,” he said, adding that those interests align in Nigeria.

Meetings and panels

The exhibition combined vendor displays and demonstrations with discussions on how African militaries could adopt new capabilities. On the sidelines, Anderson and Vrooman met Nigerian leaders, including Defence Minister Christopher Gwabin Musa, a retired general, and Gen. Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, to reaffirm the U.S.-Nigeria relationship, the command said.

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, also took part in panel discussions on defence innovation, infrastructure and experimentation.

In his closing remarks Anderson urged participants to act with urgency and to innovate faster than the threats facing future security and stability. He stressed that the United States does not intend to work alone, saying he looks forward to continuing to work with allies and partners.

The release describes AFRIDEX as a platform for the United States and African partners to exchange ideas, build relationships and explore solutions to evolving security threats across the continent.