Despite the rapid surge in insecurity, Nigeria spendings on foreign weapons has dramatically increased, with new reports showing that imports rises to N26.95 billion in the first half of 2025, this is according to the latest foreign trade report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This figure represents a sharp 129 percent year-on-year increase compared to N11.76 billion recorded in the same period of 2024.
The surge in arms imports signals reflect direct response on military procurement as the country battles multiple security crises. The rebound comes after one of the weakest years on record, when defense imports collapsed by 90 percent in 2024, dropping from a peak of N121.36 billion in the first half of 2023 to just N11.76 billion.
Data shows that over 80 percent of Nigeria’s defense imports in 2025 occurred in the first quarter, with N22.08 billion spent between January and March, more than double the N10.72 billion spent in the same quarter of 2024. The second quarter saw a slowdown to N4.87 billion, though still nearly five times higher than the N1.04 billion recorded in Q2 of 2024.
According to the government the increase show its push to bolster the armed forces amid persistent threats, including Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, separatist violence in the South-East, and a surge in kidnappings in the North-Central. Security analysts say the sharp rise in imports reflects ongoing defense contracts and urgent procurement needs rather than steady, predictable growth.
Read also:
- NOA, NBS join forces to rebase Nigeria’s GDP, drive transparency, economic inclusion
- Local food prices skyrocket in October – NBS
- Headline inflation drops to 32.15% in August 2024, says NBS
From 2021 to 2025, Nigeria’s arms imports have shown dramatic volatility. Spending stood at N39.80 billion in the first half of 2021, dropped to N15.81 billion in 2022, soared to N121.36 billion in 2023, plummeted to N11.76 billion in 2024, and has now rebounded to N26.95 billion. This fluctuation highlights how procurement is shaped by contract cycles, budget allocations, and shifting government priorities.
The fiscal impact is significant. While increased arms spending strengthens Nigeria’s defense capability, it also deepens trade imbalances and pressures foreign reserves at a time when debt servicing is already consuming a large share of national revenue. Despite this, the country’s trade surplus improved in the second quarter of 2025, expanding by 44.3 percent to N7.46 trillion compared to N5.17 trillion in the previous quarter.
Nigeria’s defense spending trajectory suggests that security concerns remain a serious concern for the government, even as it struggles to balance economic stability with escalating military needs.
