Nigeria has secured the third position among African nations with the most formidable military forces in the 2025 Global Firepower Military Strength Index.
PUNCH NEWSPAPER ONLINE reports that the development contained in the Global Firepower’s annual report evaluates 145 countries based on over 60 metrics.
The metrics comprise troop numbers, equipment capabilities, logistical efficiency, financial resources, and geographical advantages to assess military strength.
According to the 2025 rankings, Egypt maintains its lead as Africa’s top military power, with Algeria in second place and South Africa in fourth.
Nigeria’s rise to third position underscores its growing military capabilities, driven by investments in personnel, equipment, and counter-terrorism efforts.
1. Egypt (19)
2. Algeria (26)
3. Nigeria (31)
4. South Africa (40)
5. Ethiopia (52)
6. Angola (56)
7. Morocco (59)
8. Democratic Republic of the Congo (66)
9. Sudan (73)
10. Libya (76)
11. Kenya (83)
12. Chad (84)
13. Mozambique (89)
14. Tunisia (90)
15. Tanzania (92)
16. Cameroon (93)
17. Ivory Coast (102)
18. Mali (104)
19. Zambia (109)
20. Ghana (110)
21. Zimbabwe (111)
22. South Sudan (113)
23. Uganda (114)
24. Namibia (116)
25. Niger (119)
26. Eritrea (120)
27. Republic of the Congo (121)
28. Botswana (122)
29. Mauritania (123)
30. Senegal (125)
31. Burkina Faso (129)
32. Madagascar (130)
33. Gabon (133)
34. Liberia (138)
35. Sierra Leone (140)
36. Somalia (142)
37. Central African Republic (143)
38. Benin (144)
