Nigeria’s federal government has invested approximately $801 million in military hardware from the United States since President Bola Tinubu took office, marking one of the country’s largest arms procurement drives in recent years, according to the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI).
IMPI Chairman Dr Omoniyi Akinsiju said in a policy briefing that the acquisitions, valued at about ₦1.15 trillion, reflect the administration’s determination to modernise the armed forces and strengthen internal security.
He said 2024 recorded the highest arms import bill in recent history, with over ₦520 billion spent—equivalent to two-thirds of Nigeria’s total weapons imports over the past five years.
The purchases include 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from Bell Textron, costing $455 million, and a $346 million deal finalised in August 2025 for MK-82 bombs and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rounds, complete with logistics and training support.
According to Akinsiju, the acquisitions will improve Nigeria’s precision-strike and counterterrorism capabilities in ongoing operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed criminal networks in the north.
He described the defence spending as evidence of President Tinubu’s political will “to combat terrorism and safeguard Nigerians,” adding that the move also underscores Nigeria’s deepening security ties with Washington.
Akinsiju, however, suggested that the US’s recent policy posture toward Nigeria might be influenced less by human rights concerns and more by efforts to expand its arms trade amid growing competition from China.
