The 2025 Global Firepower Military Strength Index has ranked the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) as 3rd in African and 31st globally, effectively placing it placing it among the top third of global military powers.
The 2025 Global Firepower index evaluates the military strength of 145 countries based on over 60 factors, including manpower, equipment, and resources.
According to the organisation, “Nigeria’s strong showing in the index reflects its growing influence in West Africa and its increased defence spending.”
According to the breakdown, within Africa, Nigeria is ranked 3rd, following Egypt and Algeria.
The Global Firepower index uses over 60 factors, including manpower, equipment, natural resources, finances, and geography, to determine a nation’s military strength.
The Global Index noted that “Nigeria has a total of 8,962 military vehicles, 330 tanks, 40 self-propelled artillery, and 339 towed artillery. The Nigerian Army has an estimated 65,000 soldiers, with the Air Force and Navy also contributing to the overall strength. The country also maintains a paramilitary force of around 50,000 personnel.”
Apart from Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria in the first, second and third positions in Africa, the rankings (both continental and global) are as follows:
4. South Africa (40)
5. Ethiopia (52)
6. Angola (56)
7. Morocco (59)
8. Democratic Republic of the Congo (66)
9. Sudan (73)
10. Libya (76)
11. Kenya (83)
12. Chad (84)
13. Mozambique (89)
14. Tunisia (90)
15. Tanzania (92)
16. Cameroon (93)
17. Ivory Coast (102)
18. Mali (104)
19. Zambia (109)
20. Ghana (110)
21. Zimbabwe (111)
22. South Sudan (113)
23. Uganda (114)
24. Namibia (116)
25. Niger (119)
26. Eritrea (120)
27. Republic of the Congo (121)
28. Botswana (122)
29. Mauritania (123)
30. Senegal (125)
31. Burkina Faso (129)
32. Madagascar (130)
33. Gabon (133)
34. Liberia (138)
35. Sierra Leone (140)
36. Somalia (142)
37. Central African Republic (143)
38. Benin (144)
