The Nigerian Armed Forces have been ranked 33rd strongest in the world and third on the African continent in the newly released 2026 Global Firepower Index (GFP).
The Global Firepower Index, which evaluates the defence capabilities of more than 140 countries using over 60 factors such as manpower size, land, air and naval assets, logistics and defence resources placed Nigeria behind Egypt and Algeria in Africa but ahead of many regional peers.
Despite facing ongoing internal security challenges, including terrorism and banditry, Nigeria’s sizeable active and reserve forces, along with an expanding military inventory, contributed to its strong regional position.
On the global stage, established military powers like the United States, Russia and China continue to occupy the top positions in the 2026 index.
Nigeria’s high ranking reflects sustained investment in defence and its growing role in regional security cooperation across West Africa. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.