🇳🇬 Nigeria Military Strength 2026
With an overall Power Index rank of #46 out of 180, Nigeria stands as a mid-tier military in 2026. Its armed forces field 143,000 active personnel. The defense budget stands at $1.1 billion (2024), about 0.6% of GDP.
▶ Open Nigeria in the simulator
Personnel & budget
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Active military personnel | 143,000 | #34 |
| Reserve personnel | 0 | |
| Paramilitary forces | 80,000 | |
| Defense budget (2024) | $1.1 billion | #81 |
| Budget share of GDP | 0.56% | |
| Population | 237.5M | |
Land forces
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Main battle tanks | 317 | #39 |
| Attack helicopters | 16 | |
Air power
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Combat aircraft | 38 | #61 |
| Military satellites | 0 | |
Naval forces
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Aircraft carriers | 0 | |
| Cruisers | 0 | |
| Destroyers | 0 | |
| Frigates | 1 | |
| Corvettes | 1 | |
| Amphibious warfare ships | 0 | |
| Nuclear submarines | 0 | |
| Conventional submarines | 0 | |
| Fleet strength score | 3 | #63 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Data years vary by indicator (latest available, 2023–2026). See methodology and sources.