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The Nigerian military has fallen three spots in the most recent global military rankings.
According to the ranking released by Global Firepower, the Armed Forces of Nigeria are now positioned 39th out of 145 countries evaluated for 2024.
This represents a drop from 36th place in 2023 and 35th in 2022. This decline over two consecutive years occurs despite the acquisition of fighter jets and other combat resources, as well as the military's reported achievements against terrorism in Nigeria during the same timeframe.
Nigeria has also slipped from third to fourth place among African nations. For the 18th year in a row, the United States has maintained its status as the top military globally.
The GFP report indicates that the United States demonstrates "commanding values in numerous key material, financial, and resource categories."
Following the USA are Russia, China, and India, ranked second, third, and fourth, respectively. South Korea is in fifth place, with the United Kingdom (6th), Japan (7th), Turkey (8th), Pakistan (9th), and Italy (10th) rounding out the top ten. The top 15 includes France (11th), Brazil (12th), Indonesia (13th), Iran (14th), and Egypt (15th).
Australia, Israel, Ukraine, Germany, and Spain occupy the 16th to 20th positions, respectively. In Africa, Egypt ranks first, followed by Algeria, South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola, Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, and Sudan, in that order.
The report states that over 60 factors were taken into account to determine the scores assigned to each country. "The finalized Global Firepower ranking utilizes over 60 individual factors to calculate a nation's PowerIndex ('PwrIndx') score, considering aspects such as the number of military units, financial status, logistical capabilities, and geography," the GFP report noted.
"Our unique, in-house formula enables smaller, more technologically advanced nations to compete with larger, less-developed powers. Special modifiers, in the form of bonuses and penalties, are applied to further refine the list, which is compiled annually.
"For 2024, Nigeria is ranked 39th out of the 145 countries assessed for the annual GFP review, holding a PwrIndx* score of 0.5619 (with a score of 0.0000 considered 'perfect'). This entry was last reviewed on 01/09/2024."
"PwrIndx: Each nation is evaluated based on individual and collective values processed through an in-house formula to generate its 'PwrIndx' (Power Index) score. Some values are estimated when official figures are unavailable," it added.
When reached for comment, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, stated, "I am not aware of the ranking and cannot comment on it."
