Nigeria’s military spending jumps 55% to $2.1 billion amid worsening insecurity – Report
Nigeria’s military expenditure surged sharply in 2025, rising by 55% year-on-year to $2.1 billion, as worsening insecurity across the country forced increased defence spending.
This is according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The report places Nigeria among the fastest-growing military spenders globally in 2025, highlighting how internal security pressures are reshaping fiscal priorities in sub-Saharan Africa.
SIPRI data shows Nigeria’s military spending jumped from roughly $1.35 billion in 2024 to $2.1 billion in 2025, marking one of the steepest increases in Africa.
The surge was largely driven by intensifying security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and widespread communal and separatist tensions.
This places Nigeria as the second-largest military spender in sub-Saharan Africa, behind South Africa.
Across sub-Saharan Africa, total military expenditure rose to $23.3 billion in 2025, representing a 7.4% increase compared to 2024.
Nigeria was a major driver of this growth, accounting for a significant share of the region’s increase.
The report also noted that military spending in the sub-region has risen by 21% over the past decade, reflecting persistent instability and conflict risks.
While Nigeria ramped up spending, South Africa, the region’s largest spender, reduced its military budget slightly by 1.2% to $3.2 billion, continuing a longer-term downward trend.
At the continental level, Africa’s total military spending reached $58.2 billion in 2025, up 8.5% year-on-year and 45% higher than in 2016.
North Africa accounted for the bulk of spending, with countries like Algeria leading at $25.4 billion. However, sub-Saharan Africa’s growth trajectory is increasingly shaped by internal conflicts rather than interstate tensions.
The report highlights that spending increases across Africa are tied to a mix of insurgencies, political instability, and long-standing regional disputes.
Globally, military expenditure rose to $2.887 trillion in 2025, marking the 11th consecutive year of growth and the highest level ever recorded.
However, the pace of increase slowed to 2.9% in 2025, compared to 9.7% in 2024, indicating a moderation after years of rapid expansion.
The world’s top five military spenders — the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and India — accounted for 58% of global defence expenditure.
Nigeria’s sharp increase in military spending signals a shift in fiscal focus towards security, even as the country grapples with broader economic pressures, including debt servicing and revenue constraints.
The Nigerian Air Force remains a critical pillar of national defence, supporting counter-terrorism, surveillance, troop mobility, and air support operations across the country.