Nigeria’s arms import spending sees sharp decline
Nigeria’s spending on arms and ammunition imports has dropped significantly, according to new data from the National Bureau of Statistics. The figures show a dramatic reduction compared to previous years, despite ongoing security challenges in the country. Security experts, including Chidi Omeje, have questioned whether this decline is due to increased local production or other factors. The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and its partner, D7G, are ramping up efforts to boost domestic arms manufacturing.
What we know
- Arms import spending fell to about N49bn from N520bn spent in 2024, with N483.85bn recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024 alone.
- In 2023, Nigeria spent N127.16bn on arms imports, N28.24bn in 2022, N72.50bn in 2021, and N29.24bn in 2020.
- In the first quarter of 2025, arms imports were valued at N22.08bn, dropping to N4.87bn in the second quarter, and rising to N23.49bn in the third quarter.
- Last month, DICON unveiled the first batch of locally manufactured DG-103 rifles, with nearly 1,000 units assembled in Kaduna.
- DICON-D7G plans to acquire a military jetty in Lagos by February 2026 to further boost local production and defence capabilities.
