Nigeria’s military strength has taken a hit in the latest rankings published by Global Firepower (GFP), slipping to 39th out of 145 countries assessed.
This marks a decline from its previous positions of 36th in 2023 and 35th in 2022. Among African nations, Nigeria also fell from 3rd to 4th place, now trailing behind Egypt, Algeria, and South Africa.
Despite concerted efforts by Nigeria to bolster its military infrastructure and procure advanced hardware, the ranking reflects ongoing challenges. Egypt, ranked 15th globally, continues to lead in Africa, followed by Algeria (26th) and South Africa (33rd). Other African countries in the top 10 include Ethiopia, Angola, Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, and Sudan.
Globally, the United States remains at the top for the 18th consecutive year, showcasing “commanding values in many major material, financial, and resource categories,” according to GFP. The U.S. is followed by Russia, China, and India, with South Korea rounding out the top five. The United Kingdom (6th), Japan (7th), Turkey (8th), Pakistan (9th), and Italy (10th) complete the top 10.
The GFP ranking methodology uses over 60 individual factors, covering areas such as military unit quantity, financial stability, logistical capabilities, and geography.
The report emphasizes that its unique formula allows technologically advanced but smaller nations to compete with larger, less-developed powers. Adjustments for special modifiers ensure the rankings reflect a comprehensive view of global military strength.
For Nigeria, this development raises questions about its defense strategy and resource allocation. The Nigerian military has yet to comment on its declining rank, which contrasts with its stated commitment to enhancing its military capabilities.