Tinubu’s govt spent $801 million on military assets from U.S in 18 months – IMPI

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) says the administration of President Bola Tinubu has acquired military assets worth $801 million from the United States within 18 months.

IMPI, in a policy statement by its chairman, Omoniyi Akinsiju, said the naira equivalent of the acquisition was about ₦1.15 trillion, as part of the administration’s defence modernisation drive.

Mr Akinsiju described the acquisition as a bold demonstration of the administration’s commitment to national security and enhancing military capability.

According to him, 2024 recorded Nigeria’s highest arms import expenditure in recent times, with more than ₦520 billion spent, accounting for about 67 per cent of the country’s total arms imports between 2020 and 2024.

Mr 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.

The package, according to him, is aimed at improving the Nigerian military’s precision-strike capability and operational readiness against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandit groups.

“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.

(NAN)