Senator representing Ondo South and ambassador-designate, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for what he described as their professionalism, resilience and sustained contributions to national security and regional stability across Africa.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ibrahim said the Armed Forces had continued to demonstrate exceptional commitment in the face of complex and evolving security challenges confronting the country.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces have remained steadfast in their constitutional responsibility of safeguarding over 250 million Nigerians, even as security threats grow more dynamic and sophisticated,” he said.
Ibrahim, who is also the founder of the Institute for Security and Modern War Studies at the University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State, noted that despite an estimated personnel strength of about 230,000 and an annual defence budget of roughly $2 billion—about one per cent of Nigeria’s gross domestic product—the military has recorded notable gains in counter-terrorism and internal security operations.
According to him, “the successes recorded in counter-terrorism and internal security efforts are critical to preserving Nigeria’s sovereignty, internal cohesion and territorial integrity.”
Beyond Nigeria’s borders, the senator highlighted the country’s prominent role in peacekeeping and stabilisation missions across Africa, citing interventions under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Liberia and Sierra Leone, as well as peace operations in Sudan, Mali, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.
“These interventions have consistently reinforced Nigeria’s standing as a stabilising force and a responsible security leader on the African continent,” he added.
Ibrahim also referenced the Global Firepower (GFP) Report 2025, which ranked Nigeria as the 31st strongest military globally and third in Africa, describing the position as a reflection of the Armed Forces’ growing strategic relevance in global defence affairs.
He attributed recent improvements in operational capacity and troop morale to the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, particularly in the areas of welfare and institutional support.
“As Nigeria approaches 2026, Nigerians must continue to stand firmly with the Armed Forces, whose sacrifices remain central to our peace, unity and stability, not only within our borders but across the African region,” Ibrahim said.
