The Nigerian Armed Forces is the largest and one of the most effective military forces in sub-Saharan Africa. It is tasked with preserving the country’s territorial integrity, responding to and assisting in times of national emergency, and advancing security in West Africa and the wider African continent. However, since gaining independence, Nigeria has experienced five military coup d’états as well as a civil war (the Biafran War), along with other separatist movements and religious conflicts. These internal conflicts and years of military rule have had a dual impact on the state of the Nigerian Armed Forces. On the one hand, they have given the military a significant degree of combat experience and contributed to institutional memory; on the other, they have negatively affected the equipment, morale, and discipline of the Armed Forces, and have contributed to endemic corruption.
Since 2008, however, the Nigerian Armed Forces have been undergoing a significant transformation through a programme of force modernisation. As a result, the force has been acquiring new, more modern equipment for all three branches and actively expanding personnel numbers. Relatedly, the Armed Forces have seen a significant and sustained increase in their funding allocations throughout the 2010s and 2020s, resulting in Nigeria routinely having the second-largest defence budget in sub-Saharan Africa.
However, the decision to relax currency restrictions in June 2023 resulted in significant levels of inflation, as well as the Naira losing some 70% of its value against the US Dollar. This has meant that while defence spending has steadily increased in Naira terms, there has been a notable fluctuation in Dollar terms, particularly concerning given Nigeria’s heavy reliance on foreign arms for its ongoing force modernisation programme and operational readiness. This issue was most acute in 2024, when the Nigerian Armed Forces suffered a near 10 percent decline in real-terms funding. In 2025, however, the government moved to rectify this through a near-doubling of the defence budget (in Naira terms).
The Nigerian Army is the largest branch, tasked with ground operations and heavily engaged in internal security efforts. While it does face challenges related to equipment modernisation, logistics, and morale, the Army has made strategic gains in pushing back insurgents and stabilising conflict zones.
The Nigerian Navy safeguards the country’s maritime interests, especially in the oil-rich Niger Delta and the Gulf of Guinea, where piracy and oil theft are major concerns. It has recently focused on expanding its fleet and enhancing coastal surveillance through the acquisition of a range of modern ships of varied sizes.
The Nigerian Air Force provides critical air support, surveillance, and logistics, especially in counterterrorism efforts. After decades of neglect, which saw much of the force grounded, the Air Force has improved its capabilities through the acquisition of new aircraft, ranging from combat jets to helicopters, along with international partnerships. However, it still faces issues with maintenance and operational capacity, and more acquisitions are expected. At present, the combat effectiveness of the Air Force is somewhat limited, as many of its new combat air assets have yet to arrive, leaving the force with largely outdated light combat aircraft.
Nigeria has either formed or joined several military task forces aimed at dealing with the various insurgencies in the region. Within Nigeria, a Joint Task Force was established to enhance the security situation in the still-volatile Niger Delta (the source of much of Nigeria’s oil wealth). Although Nigeria has spent vast amounts on operations in the Niger Delta, these efforts have met with mixed results. While Operation Delta Sanity has managed to somewhat curb oil theft in the Delta and increase oil production, the region still struggles with significant insecurity. In redoubling its efforts to secure the region and enhance oil production further, the Nigerian Navy launched Operation Delta Sanity II in December 2024.
Beyond the Niger Delta, Nigeria has also been actively engaging Islamist insurgents in the north of the country. Boko Haram, active since 2002, has served to destabilise and terrorise Borno State and surrounding areas, including countries in the Lake Chad Basin. As a result, Nigeria and other West African states formed the Multinational Joint Task Force as a means of enhancing cooperation among states fighting these insurgents. In early 2025, the Nigerian Army reported killing 76 militants in Borno State, arresting 72 suspects, and rescuing eight hostages during operations in Damboa, Bama, and Chibok. These efforts have led to the recapture of territories previously held by insurgents and the disruption of their operational capabilities. However, despite the best efforts of Nigeria and its partners, Boko Haram remains a significant threat, having adapted to the increased pressure. The insurgents have splintered into several smaller factions, leading to internal conflicts but also complicating counterinsurgency efforts.
Beyond these internal challenges, Nigeria has also positioned its military as a key peacekeeping force at the disposal of the UN, AU, and ECOWAS. Since 1995, it has deployed peacekeepers to Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Sudan (Darfur), South Sudan, Western Sahara, Mali, the Central African Republic, Somalia, Lebanon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a result, Nigeria has spent approximately USD 22 billion since 1960 on UN, AU, and ECOWAS missions.
Overall, the Nigerian Armed Forces continue to face systemic issues such as corruption, inadequate funding, and insufficient training, as well as dampened morale due to the ongoing insurgencies in the country. However, ongoing reforms, increased defence spending, and international military cooperation have contributed to gradual improvements in operational effectiveness. Civil-military relations remain a concern, with human rights abuses by security personnel drawing criticism from both domestic and international observers.
