Security vs Funding: Will more money make Nigeria safer?

2026-03-17 - 03:17

*NASS probes Defence spending as Nigeria records over 100,000 violent deaths since 2012 *Defence gulps N32.88trn of NN262.834trn budget in 15 years *CDS seeks stronger Police, Civil Defence collaboration * Senate, Reps target March 31 passage of ₦58.47trn 2026 budget By Clifford Ndujihe & Gift Chapi Odekina Despite the allocation of about ₦32.88 trillion to defence in the last 15 years — representing roughly 12.5 per cent of the ₦262.834 trillion national budgets within the period — Nigeria remains trapped in protracted insecurity. Across several regions, communities continue to endure insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, communal clashes and oil-related violence, raising questions about whether increased defence spending is translating into improved safety for citizens. Security trackers estimate that over 100,000 Nigerians have been killed in violent conflicts and insecurity-related incidents since 2012, while thousands more have been abducted and millions displaced from their homes. The crisis appears far from abating in 2026, with no fewer than 1,091 lives reportedly lost to violent attacks within the first 41 days of the year alone. Currently, no fewer than 3.726 million Nigerians are displaced by insecurity and are scattered in about 3,900 camps across the country. Against this backdrop, the National Assembly has intensified scrutiny of defence spending as lawmakers work toward passing the 2026 Appropriation Bill by March 31. Senate targets March 31 passage The Senate is currently processing the ₦58.47 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, which includes about ₦5.41 trillion for defence and security, one of the largest sectoral allocations in the proposed budget. The proposal forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s 2026 budget submitted to the National Assembly in December 2025. Following the second reading of the bill, Senate committees have been conducting detailed sectoral reviews and budget defence sessions with ministries, departments and agencies, including the Ministry of Defence. Senate President Godswill Akpabio recently indicated that the upper chamber is working toward passing the budget before March 31, after committee reports are submitted and harmonised. Senators have also stressed the urgency of prompt budget implementation, warning that delays in defence funding could undermine ongoing military operations. Reps to resume Defence budget scrutiny Similarly, the House of Representatives will resume detailed deliberations on the defence component of the 2026 budget when lawmakers return from legislative recess. The House Committees on Defence, Army, Navy and Air Force are expected to continue reviewing the proposals, focusing on troop welfare, operational logistics, intelligence operations and procurement of military equipment. Lawmakers say the review will emphasise accountability, operational efficiency and performance-based budgeting, insisting that increased allocations must translate into measurable improvements in national security. The renewed legislative attention comes as Nigeria continues to battle insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, violent attacks in the North-Central, oil theft in the Niger Delta and maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea. Rising Defence Allocations Nigeria’s defence spending has increased significantly in recent years as the government seeks to address escalating security threats across multiple regions. In the 2025 federal budget, about ₦6.57 trillion was allocated to defence and security, making it one of the largest spending sectors. For 2026, the government has proposed ₦5.41 trillion, reflecting continued prioritisation of military operations, intelligence capabilities and security infrastructure. Within the proposal, the Ministry of Defence alone is expected to receive about ₦3.154 trillion, covering personnel costs, capital projects and operational logistics for the Armed Forces. Yet, lawmakers say the critical question remains whether these rising allocations are producing tangible improvements in safety. CDS calls for stronger Inter-agency collaboration During the defence of the 2026 budget proposal at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede, stressed that the Armed Forces alone could not solve Nigeria’s complex security challenges. He called for urgent strengthening of the Nigeria Police Force,NPF and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to consolidate gains recorded by the military after clearing insurgents and criminal elements from communities. According to him, the police and civil defence corps possess wider community reach and larger personnel strength. “If these institutions are strengthened, they can effectively hold and secure territories where the Armed Forces have succeeded, ensuring that such areas remain safe,” Oluyede said. The CDS also highlighted the pressure on military personnel due to operations across multiple theatres. “The soldiers hardly have rest because we don’t have the numbers. Recruiting more personnel comes with other challenges — housing, logistics and welfare. That is why strengthening the police and civil defence is critical,” he added. Security Operations Across Regions Providing an update on ongoing operations, Oluyede disclosed that special forces had been deployed to Benue and Plateau states to address persistent violence in the Middle Belt. He also revealed plans to deploy additional troops to Kwara and parts of Niger State following rising insecurity. According to him, a new Joint Task Force code-named Operation Savannah Shield will coordinate security operations across the affected areas. “We are pulling resources from other theatres to strengthen this operation and ensure improved security in the area,” he said. The CDS assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces were intensifying efforts to address threats nationwide. “As we speak, the situation has improved significantly in the North-East. In the North-West we still face serious challenges, and the same applies to parts of the North-Central,” he said. Intelligence Partnerships Oluyede also disclosed that Nigeria was collaborating with allied countries to strengthen intelligence gathering. “Our partners have been quite helpful, particularly in intelligence. But we are careful to streamline these collaborations in line with the guidelines of Mr President, to ensure Nigeria’s sovereignty is not compromised,” he said. Lawmakers demand results Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Benson, said Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be solved through military force alone. While acknowledging the sacrifices of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, he stressed that sustainable peace requires deeper institutional reforms and stronger coordination. “The defence and security sector occupies a central place in Nigeria’s development discourse. No nation can make sustainable progress without guaranteeing the safety of lives and property,” Benson said. He warned that input-based budgeting without measurable outcomes was no longer acceptable. “Nigerians expect results that translate into safer communities, restored livelihoods and renewed confidence in the authority of the state,” he added. Benson also advocated a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to security, including investments in: strategic communication community peacebuilding cyber defence border security technology police reforms inter-agency intelligence data centres. Budget scrutiny to continue With the National Assembly currently on recess, further deliberations on the defence budget will resume when lawmakers reconvene. The review is expected to determine not only the final size of defence allocations but also oversight conditions tied to their implementation. The bigger question Despite assurances from defence authorities and growing legislative scrutiny, a fundamental question persists: Has increased defence spending translated into improved security for Nigerians? While military authorities point to operational gains in several regions, violence continues to affect communities across the country. As the Senate and House of Representatives race to pass the 2026 budget by March 31, Nigerians will be watching closely — not only the size of defence allocations but whether the funds will finally deliver safer communities. Defence Alloc in 15 Years Year Budget Defence 2012 ₦5.086trn ₦921.91bn 2013 ₦4.987trn ₦1.055trn 2014 ₦5.230trn₦968.13bn 2015 ₦5.643trn ₦969bn 2016 ₦6.061trn ₦1.06trn 2017 ₦7.444trn ₦1.13trn 2018 ₦9.12trn. ₦1.28trn 2019 ₦8.92trn ₦1.33trn 2020 ₦10.59trn ₦974.91bn 2021 ₦14.57trn ₦1.685trn 2022 ₦17.908trn ₦2.7trn 2023 ₦24.007trn ₦2.98trn 2024 ₦35.055trn ₦3.85trn 2025 ₦49.74trn. ₦6.57trn 2026 ₦58.47trn ₦5.41trn Total #262.83trn N32.88trn