Nigeria is falling behind in the rapidly expanding global defence industry as persistent underfunding and structural inefficiencies constrain its ability to modernize. Despite allocating ₦6.11 trillion ($4.07 billion) to defence and security in the 2025 budget, the fourth largest in Africa, analysts told Premium Times the resources are largely absorbed by recurrent expenses rather than capital projects.
Military spending in Nigeria has grown by over 134% between 2019 and 2024, figures reported by Daily Trust show, yet the welfare of frontline troops has not kept pace. The real value of a private soldier’s monthly salary has fallen by nearly 75% in dollar terms, eroding morale and raising concerns over operational effectiveness, BusinessDay noted.
Efforts to develop local defence manufacturing through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) remain limited. As highlighted by AllAfrica, inadequate investment and a continued reliance on foreign imports have slowed progress in building a self-sufficient arms industry.
Security experts cited in Global Upfront stressed that corruption and inflated procurement contracts further weaken the sector’s ability to invest in modern equipment, training, and intelligence. This shortfall has left Nigeria at a disadvantage compared to regional peers who are leveraging defence industrialisation for both security and economic gains.
