In 2024, Nigeria’s arms imports exceeded ₦520 billion, the highest in five years, accounting for two-thirds of total imports between 2020-2024. This contradicts Minister of Defence’s claims of becoming a net arms exporter, as data shows minimal exports. The significant spending raises concerns over Nigeria’s defense strategy and local production capabilities.
In 2024, Nigeria witnessed a substantial increase in arms imports, recording over ₦520 billion in weaponry purchases, marking the highest expenditure in five years. Notably, this amount constituted approximately two-thirds of the total arms import costs throughout the five-year period from 2020 to 2024. Such figures raise questions about the government’s assertions regarding enhanced domestic arms production.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed this data in the Q4 2024 Trade Statistics Report, published on March 7, 2025. Between 2020 and 2024, Nigeria imported arms and ammunition worth ₦777.1 billion, with a striking 67% of this total attributed solely to 2024. The final quarter of 2024 accounted for ₦483.85 billion, underscoring a dramatic surge in spending.
This upsurge casts doubt on previous statements made by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who claimed that Nigeria was transitioning into a net exporter of military equipment. He asserted during the 60th anniversary of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) that Nigeria was producing and exporting arms to various African nations, aiming for economic growth through job creation and foreign exchange.
Nonetheless, NBS data contradicts Minister Matawalle’s claims, as the only recorded arms export occurred in 2021 and amounted to merely ₦192.64 million. The recent NBS report did not disclose specific recipient nations, further obscuring the Minister’s claims.
The year-by-year breakdown of arms imports illustrates this striking trend:
– 2020: ₦29.24 billion
– 2021: ₦72.50 billion
– 2022: ₦28.24 billion
– 2023: ₦127.16 billion
– 2024: ₦520.96 billion
The total over the five-year span reaches ₦777.10 billion. The drastic increase in 2024 is particularly noteworthy when compared to 2022, when the country spent only ₦28.24 billion on arms.
The NBS report was compiled utilizing data from multiple authoritative sources, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders in the oil sector. The report’s findings raise pivotal questions surrounding Nigeria’s defense strategy, suggesting a disparity between government claims of bolstered local military production and the reality of escalating arms imports amid domestic security challenges.
In summary, Nigeria’s arms imports skyrocketed in 2024, reaching over ₦520 billion and constituting a substantial portion of the total five-year expenditure. Contradictions in government claims regarding arms exports further highlight concerns about the nation’s defense policies and its ability to address internal security challenges. This data points to the necessity for transparency and effective strategies in Nigeria’s military development and procurement processes.
Original Source: africa.businessinsider.com