FULL LIST: Nigeria military Ranks Third in Africa, 31 in World

Nigeria has been ranked the third most powerful military in Africa, according to the 2025 Global Firepower (GFP) Military Strength Index.

The GFP report assesses 145 countries worldwide using more than 60 metrics, including troop numbers, equipment, financial resources, logistics, and geographic advantages, to determine overall military strength.

In the 2025 rankings, Egypt remains Africa’s top military power, followed by Algeria in second place. South Africa ranks fourth. Analysts say Nigeria’s climb to third position reflects substantial investments in its armed forces, modernization of military equipment, and strengthened counter-terrorism efforts.

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The 2025 Global Firepower Index ranks African nations as follows:

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)