Nigeria has the strongest Navy in Africa in new GFP report

Nigeria has been ranked Africa’s strongest naval power in the 2026 Global Firepower (GFP) assessment, placing the country ahead of Egypt and Algeria in maritime capability.

The ranking, published by Global Firepower, evaluates conventional military strength across land, sea and air. Nigeria placed 22nd globally for naval power, reflecting the size and composition of its fleet rather than overall military spending.

Nigeria’s naval posture is shaped by its strategic position along the Gulf of Guinea, where it shares maritime boundaries with Benin, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and São Tomé and Príncipe. The country controls about 853 kilometres of coastline and an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extending 220 nautical miles offshore, covering oil fields and key fishing grounds.

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According to the GFP data, Nigeria operates 152 naval assets, the largest fleet in Africa. Patrol vessels dominate the force, accounting for 132 units, supported by two mine warfare ships and one frigate. The patrol fleet includes offshore patrol vessels, gunboats, missile boats and fast-attack craft, primarily designed for shallow-water and coastal operations.

The report notes that Nigeria currently does not operate aircraft carriers, submarines, corvettes or destroyers, limiting deep-ocean and blue-water reach. Even so, the size of its patrol fleet gives it a numerical advantage in regional maritime security, particularly in counter-piracy and coastal enforcement roles.

Despite the ranking, challenges persist in Nigerian waters, including piracy, illegal fishing and maritime boundary disputes—issues that continue to test the navy’s operational capacity.

While Egypt remains Africa’s strongest military overall, it ranked second in naval strength with 149 vessels, placing 23rd globally. Algeria followed in third place on the continent with 111 vessels, ranking 34th worldwide.

Morocco and South Africa placed fourth and fifth, operating 100 and 63 vessels respectively. They were followed by Tunisia, Mozambique, and Angola.

Kenya and Eritrea rounded out the continent’s top ten naval forces.

In overall military strength—not limited to naval assets—Nigeria ranked third in Africa behind Egypt and Algeria, and 33rd globally out of 145 countries assessed in the 2026 review.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

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