Dec 18, 2025
Nigeria’s defence sector in 2025 experienced a year of transformation, innovation, and renewed operational focus.
Amid evolving security threats, the country’s Armed Forces undertook strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing operational readiness, modernising capabilities, and strengthening institutional capacity.
The year was marked by leadership transitions, reforms in training and administration, increased local production of arms, and expanded regional cooperation.
Analysts note that these developments reflect Nigeria’s commitment to addressing both immediate security challenges and long-term defence sustainability.
A major highlight of 2025 was the leadership transition at the apex of the Nigerian Army. Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu was appointed as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, succeeding Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, who assumed the role of Chief of Defence Staff.
The change signalled a continuation of Nigeria’s strategic approach to aligning military leadership with contemporary security challenges. Oluyede, in his new role, emphasised the imperative of transformation and innovation within the Armed Forces.
Speaking at a defence seminar in Abuja, the CDS said the modern security environment demanded that the armed forces remain agile, technologically capable, and prepared to operate across multiple domains.
“Transformation is not optional; it is central to national security,” he stated.
Another key development under President Bola Tinubu’s defence reform agenda was the appointment of retired Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Muhammed Badaru.
The appointment was widely applauded and has been credited with streamlining operational command and reinforcing intelligence-led operations, jointness among services, and the adoption of modern technologies in combating terrorism and insurgency.
Transformation and Innovation became guiding principles for Nigeria’s defence strategy in 2025. Modernisation under the CDS encompassed hardware acquisition, human resource development, digital integration, and operational restructuring.
Analysts observed that these initiatives are critical in addressing asymmetric threats posed by non-state actors and organized crime syndicates, which increasingly operate with sophisticated networks.
Emphasis was placed on training personnel in emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and data-driven decision-making to build a future-ready armed force capable of responding efficiently to diverse security challenges while maintaining high professional standards.
Local Arms Production and Defence Industrialisation
In 2025, Nigeria took major strides toward defence self-sufficiency. The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the Ministry of Steel Development, intensified efforts to expand local arms production and defence industrialisation.
This initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, enhance logistical resilience, and stimulate domestic industrial capacity.
Strategic joint ventures were established between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and local defence companies such as D7G and Zumach Nigeria Ltd.
These partnerships yielded positive results, including the rollout of over 1,000 units of the DG-103 rifle, an upgraded version of the AK-103 within the first two months of production in Kaduna.
The CEO of D7G, Osman Chennar, disclosed that all rifles produced in the first batch underwent comprehensive testing and certification, meeting operational standards required by the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.
“With full operations now underway, our target is to achieve an annual production capacity of 60 million rounds of ammunition,” he added, highlighting DICON–D7G’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence ecosystem.
Industry observers note that local arms production strengthens operational readiness, fosters research and development, enables technology transfer, and creates jobs.
Collaboration with the steel sector supports the production of ammunition, small arms, and certain categories of military hardware, laying the foundation for a self-reliant defence industrial base.
While full self-sufficiency remains a long-term goal, the 2025 initiatives are viewed as critical steps toward sustained growth and innovation in military manufacturing.
Addressing Persistent Security Challenges
Despite modernisation and reforms, Nigeria’s security environment in 2025 remained complex. Insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, kidnapping, and communal clashes continued to pose significant challenges.
The military, alongside the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Service, and other agencies, intensified operations aimed at degrading criminal networks, rescuing kidnapped victims, and restoring civil authority.
Operations included targeted intelligence-driven missions, surveillance, and joint military-police initiatives. Official reports indicate measurable successes, including the neutralisation of high-profile insurgent commanders, disruption of criminal logistics, and rescue of numerous civilians.
Security analysts caution, however, that enduring stability requires a combination of military, socio-economic, and governance interventions. Strengthening partnerships with local communities, civil society organizations, and state governments remains central to tackling the root causes of insecurity.
Training and Capacity Building
Recognising the critical role of training in operational effectiveness, the Nigerian Army inaugurated a new training depot in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State in 2025. The facility will expand the Army’s capacity for basic and specialised training, ensuring personnel are equipped to meet contemporary operational demands.
Military sources noted that the depot will help decongest existing institutions while providing modern facilities and instructional resources.
Curricula have also been updated to incorporate lessons from ongoing counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and civil-military engagement operations.
Analysts emphasise that investment in human capital is as crucial as hardware procurement, military effectiveness depends on adaptability, discipline, and professional competence.
Regional and International Cooperation
Nigeria’s defence engagement extended beyond its borders in 2025, reflecting the transnational nature of security threats. Cooperation with countries such as Mali focused on intelligence sharing, joint training exercises, and coordinated border security.
Nigeria continued to advocate for collective security mechanisms to combat terrorism, arms trafficking, and organised crime through regional forums. Defence diplomacy also included contributions to peacekeeping and security initiatives in West Africa.
A notable milestone was the hosting of the maiden African Chiefs of Defence Summit in Abuja, attended by representatives from the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, and prominent political and diplomatic leaders.
Observers note that these engagements enhance Nigeria’s strategic influence while providing operational benefits through shared intelligence, interoperability, and collaborative capacity building.
Looking Ahead
As 2025 drew to a close, developments in Nigeria’s defence sector reflected deliberate reform, innovation, and operational consolidation. Leadership renewal, emphasis on transformation, local production initiatives, and enhanced regional cooperation underscored the government’s commitment to building a responsive, future-ready military.
While challenges persist, particularly in insurgency-prone areas, banditry hotspots, and regions affected by communal violence, the progress achieved demonstrates growing alignment between policy objectives and operational execution.
Analysts assert that continued success will depend on sustained investment in technology, infrastructure, personnel training, and civil-military collaboration.
The experience of 2025 reinforces a key principle: national security is multidimensional, requiring a holistic approach that combines military strength with innovation, governance, and societal resilience.
Through its reforms and strategic initiatives, Nigeria’s defence sector is positioning itself to meet these challenges while safeguarding the nation’s citizens and interests. (NAN