The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has disclosed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has committed a total of $801 million, over ₦1.15 trillion, to arms purchases from the United States between 2024 and 2025, as part of its military modernization drive.
The Chairman of IMPI, Omoniyi Akinsiju who made this known in a statement on Tuesday, noted that the expenditure underscores Nigeria’s growing investment in strengthening its defense capabilities, contrary to impressions created by the U.S. redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
According to IMPI, 2024 marked Nigeria’s highest single-year spending on arms imports in recent history, with over ₦520 billion expended.
It said: “In 2024 alone, Nigeria recorded its highest single-year expenditure on arms import in recent times with over N520 billion spent, representing a record-breaking surge in military asset acquisition for the country.
”This figure accounts for approximately 67% of the total arms import bill over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). A substantial portion of this amount, ₦483.85 billion, was spent in the final quarter of the year.
”The military assets procurement includes the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, regarded as the world’s deadliest attack helicopter, a $455 million deal aimed at strengthening counterinsurgency capabilities.
The contract was awarded to Bell Textron, an American aerospace company, in March 2024.
”These helicopters are part of broader investments in military equipment and technology, intended to aid in tackling terrorism, piracy, and other forms of violent crimes across the nation, enhancing Nigeria’s ability to collaborate with international partners on security initiatives.”
”In addition, Nigeria completed a historic $346 million arms deal with the United States in August 2025, marking another impressive large single purchase of military hardware with objective on strengthening the military precision capabilities.
”The contract involves more than 1,000 MK-82 500-pound bombs, over 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rounds, programmable fuzes, airfoil groups, and extensive logistical and technical assistance.
”The acquisition will complement the existing counterinsurgency operations that Nigeria has been waging against Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and bandits which are still operational in some northern states.
IMPI described the spending as a clear demonstration of the Tinubu administration’s political will to modernize the military and strengthen national security, while also safeguarding religious freedom and citizens’ safety.
”This, for us, underlines the administration’s commitment to boosting the operational readiness of security agencies in the war against terrorism and insurgency in the country.”
The group further noted that while the U.S. may be seeking greater defense collaboration with Nigeria, other players such as China remain active in the country’s defense ecosystem with $152 million worth of Chinese tanks and howitzers supplied in 2024 alone.
IMPI concluded that recent U.S. overtures toward Nigeria’s defense sector reflect a strategic economic move to expand its market share in military hardware sales, rather than a hostile posture toward the country.
According to the policy group, the US President may be holding out for more arms transactions between the two countries after claiming that the country was not doing enough to protect Christians from extremist attacks.
”Our consideration is that with a threat to storm Nigeria with “gun-a-blazing,” the US President may be out to compel the Nigerian government to engage more with American arms manufacturers.
“This is especially so with the place of China, US perennial competitor in all sphere of engagements, in Nigeria’s arms supplies eco-system.
”In 2024, China supplied up to $152 million worth of VT-4 main battle tanks, ST1 light tanks, and SH-5 self-propelled howitzers.
“This position is further reinforced by the American government’s call to its military hardware and software manufacturing sector to explore opportunities available in Nigeria for the supply of sophisticated tools and systems, such as surveillance technology, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and advanced detection equipment.
”This apparent business pitch coming from the US International Trade Commission holds much weight for an increased market share maneuver than a declaration of war on Nigeria by the US,” the group added.
