The Nigerian Navy has been ranked the strongest in Africa and 22nd globally, according to the 2026 Global Firepower report. The annual ranking assesses countries based on their conventional war-fighting capability across land, sea and air forces.
The report notes that Nigeria has 152 naval assets, with patrol boats accounting for 132 of the total. The fleet also includes two mine warfare ships and one frigate, while lacking aircraft carriers, submarines, corvettes and destroyers. Nigeria’s maritime domain covers an estimated 853 kilometres of coastline in the Gulf of Guinea and an exclusive economic zone extending 220 nautical miles offshore, an area affected by piracy and maritime disputes.
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In Africa, Egypt was ranked second in naval strength with 149 vessels and placed 23rd globally, while Algeria came third with 111 vessels and was ranked 34th worldwide. In overall military strength, Nigeria was ranked third on the continent behind Egypt and Algeria, and 33rd out of 145 countries reviewed in the 2026 Global Firepower assessment.
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