Thursday, November 13, 2025 - A group, under the auspices of
Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has estimated total sums spent
by the President, Bola Tinubu on importing military equipment from the United
States government at $801million, approximately N1.15trillion.
According to the group, these transactions and military
modernization programmes were carried out between 2024 and 2025.
statement signed by its Chairman Omoniyi Akinsiju, on
Wednesday, the group posited that this is contrary to the impression created in
the US President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country
of Particular Concern (CPC).
It said: “In 2024 alone, Nigeria recorded its highest
single-year expenditure on arms import in recent times with over N520 billion
spent, representing a record-breaking surge in military asset acquisition for
the country.
“This figure accounts for approximately 67% of the total
arms import bill over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024, according to the
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). A substantial portion of this amount,
N483.85 billion, was spent in the final quarter of the year.
“The military assets procurement includes the acquisition
of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, regarded as the world’s deadliest attack
helicopter, a $455 million deal aimed at strengthening counterinsurgency
capabilities.
The contract was awarded to Bell Textron, an American aerospace
company, in March 2024.
“These helicopters are part of broader investments in
military equipment and technology, intended to aid in tackling terrorism,
piracy, and other forms of violent crimes across the nation, enhancing
Nigeria’s ability to collaborate with international partners on security
initiatives.”
“In addition, Nigeria completed a historic $346 million
arms deal with the United States in August 2025, marking another impressive
large single purchase of military hardware with the objective of strengthening
the military precision capabilities.
“The contract involves more than 1,000 MK-82 500-pound
bombs, over 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rounds,
programmable fuzes, airfoil groups, and extensive logistical and technical
assistance.
“The acquisition will complement the existing
counterinsurgency operations that Nigeria has been waging against Boko Haram,
the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and bandits which are still
operational in some northern states.
“This, for us, underlines the administration’s commitment to
boosting the operational readiness of security agencies in the war against
terrorism and insurgency in the country.”
IMPI noted that there has also been a clear demonstration of
political will by the federal government to combat terrorism and safeguard the
lives of Nigerians, as well as to guarantee unrestricted religious freedom and
practices in the country.
According to the policy group, the US President may be
holding out for more arms transactions between the two countries after claiming
that the country is not doing enough to protect Christians from extremist
attacks.
“Our consideration is that with a threat to storm Nigeria
with “gun-a-blazing,” the US President may be out to compel the Nigerian
government to engage more with American arms manufacturers.
“This is especially so with the place of China, US perennial
competitor in all sphere of engagements, in Nigeria’s arms supplies
eco-system.
“In 2024, China supplied up to $152 million worth of VT-4
main battle tanks, ST1 light tanks, and SH-5 self-propelled howitzers.
“This position is further reinforced by the American government’s
call to its military hardware and software manufacturing sector to explore
opportunities available in Nigeria for the supply of sophisticated tools and
systems, such as surveillance technology, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and
advanced detection equipment.
“This apparent business pitch coming from the US
International Trade Commission holds much more weight for an increased market
share maneuver than a declaration of war on Nigeria by the US,” the think tank
group stated.
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