By our reporter 11.11.2025
Nigeria’s territorial integrity, lives and property remain under threat from insurgent and criminal gangs despite the administration of President Bola Tinubu purchasing military equipment worth $801m (about ₦1.15 trillion) from the US.
The purchases according to the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) were done withing the period of 18 months. IMPI chairman, Dr. Omoniyi Akinsiju, said the equipment are meant to modernise the Nigerian army in face of the threats from insurgent group and bandits who have occupied territories and freely operate in northern and central part of the country.
“This scale of investment reflects Tinubu’s political will to combat terrorism and safeguard Nigerians.
“The recent US policy remarks on Nigeria may be more about expanding arms trade opportunities amid competition from China than about religious or human rights concerns,” he said.
According to him, 2024 recorded Nigeria’s highest arms import expenditure in recent times, with more than ₦520 billion spent, accounting for approximately 67 percent of the country’s total arms imports between 2020 and 2024.
Akinsiju said a major highlight was the $ 455 million purchase of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from American aerospace giant Bell Textron, to boost counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations.
He further disclosed that in August 2025, Nigeria sealed another $346 million deal for over 1,000 MK-82 bombs and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rounds, along with supporting logistics and training components.