By Joy Odor Abuja
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, stormed into Bamako on Thursday as West Africa’s security landscape took centre stage at the debut edition of the Bamako International Defence and Security Exhibition (BAMEX 2025).
Badaru’s aircraft taxied to a halt at the Military Wing of the Bamako International Airport where Mali rolled out full military honours.
Awaiting him was his host, the Malian Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, General Sadio Camara, flanked by top brass of the Malian Armed Forces.
A crisp, ceremonial parade rich with pageantry and precision set the tone for what is expected to be a defining moment in regional defence cooperation.
Barely minutes after the warm reception, the two Ministers retreated into a closed-door meeting described by officials as “brief but strategic.”
At the heart of their discussions: fortifying defence ties between Abuja and Bamako, deepening intelligence collaboration, and aligning both countries’ efforts in stabilising the increasingly fragile Sahel region.
The high-stakes visit comes as BAMEX 2025 opens its doors for the first time, positioning itself as Africa’s newest hub for defence diplomacy, cutting-edge military innovation, and cross-border security partnerships.
The exhibition brings together African governments, global defence manufacturers, and regional security stakeholders seeking fresh solutions to the continent’s fast-evolving threats.
For Nigeria, Badaru’s presence signals a renewed push to consolidate regional alliances at a time when insecurity ranging from terrorism to transnational crime demands collective action more than ever.
