Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, MON, led the country’s delegation to the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2025), held in Istanbul, Turkey. The visit marked a significant step in advancing Nigeria’s defence modernization efforts, fostering international cooperation, and exploring cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of global defence.
With participation from 120 countries and over 400 defence firms representing 44 nations, IDEF 2025 served as a strategic platform for showcasing emerging military technologies and strengthening ties with key global players in the defence industry. The Minister’s engagements at the fair reflected Nigeria’s growing determination to enhance its military capability through strategic partnerships and technical knowledge exchange.
As part of the visit, the Nigerian delegation toured the facilities of Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE), a major Turkish state-owned defence manufacturer, where they were received by MKE’s Chief Executive Officer, Ilhami Keles. The visit provided an opportunity to evaluate the latest military innovations and technologies being developed by MKE, which has been central to Turkey’s self-reliance in defence production. Over the years, MKE has transformed into a leading institution in the production of strategic military equipment, ammunition, and advanced technologies, and remains a symbol of Turkey’s commitment to reducing external dependency in critical military assets. The Nigerian delegation’s interaction with MKE leadership underscored the importance of fostering similar domestic capabilities through collaboration and technology transfer.
In further pursuit of deepening bilateral defence ties, Dr. Matawalle held separate meetings with the Minister of Defence Industry of Azerbaijan, Mr. Vugar Mustafayev, and the Turkish Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Musa Heybet. Discussions at these high-level engagements focused on reinforcing military-technical cooperation between Nigeria and both nations, including opportunities in defence manufacturing, equipment acquisition, and technology exchange that could accelerate Nigeria’s path toward a modern, self-sufficient military.
The Minister also paid a courtesy visit to the President of Acıbadem Hospital, Dr. Mehmet Ali Aydınlar. Acıbadem is one of Turkey’s foremost healthcare institutions, renowned for its advanced medical technologies and comprehensive services that support both civilian and defence personnel. The meeting highlighted the Nigerian government’s recognition of the crucial role of medical partnerships in enhancing military welfare and readiness.
Dr. Matawalle was accompanied to the exhibition by senior government and military officials, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda; the Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence; the representative of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Yusuf; Major General B.I. Alaya; the Director General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Brigadier General M.L. Abubakar; and other top defence stakeholders. The delegation toured several pavilions and exhibition booths showcasing innovations across land, air, sea, space, and cyber warfare domains.
In addition to his strategic engagements, the Minister joined delegates from around the world at the official opening ceremony of IDEF 2025, which was attended by the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. With over 900 Turkish defence companies and hundreds of international exhibitors present, this year’s edition of the fair presented an unmatched opportunity for countries like Nigeria to explore transformative technologies, initiate new defence partnerships, and stay aligned with the rapidly evolving global security landscape.
Minister Matawalle’s participation at IDEF 2025 demonstrates Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to building a modern, technology-driven defence architecture—anchored on global collaboration, innovation, and the development of local capacity.
