Senate slams envelope budgeting, demands full funding for security agencies

2026-02-18 - 15:16

By Henry Umoru ABUJA—The Senate has condemned the envelope budgeting system for security and intelligence agencies, urging the National Assembly to ensure adequate funding for the sector in the 2026 budget. Speaking on Wednesday during the budget defence session of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North), Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, described the current allocation system as “disheartening” and not reflective of the actual needs of the intelligence community. “Non-release or partial release of capital funds in the 2024 and 2025 budgets has negatively impacted their capacity to procure modern equipment and carry out critical operations,” Abdullahi said, stressing that adequate funding is essential to safeguard the nation, its citizens, and property. The committee also criticized heads of federal MDAs for habitual tardiness, singling out former Senators and lawmakers now in executive positions as frequent offenders. In contrast, Abdullahi commended the punctuality of leaders of national security and intelligence agencies. Permanent Secretary of Special Services, Office of the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Sanusi, outlined the key priorities of the intelligence community for 2026, including combating terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping through enhanced intelligence and community-based strategies. Sanusi noted that the envelope system had constrained operations in 2025, citing irregular releases of overhead costs, non-implementation of capital appropriations, and gaps in foreign service personnel funding. He called for adequate allocations through the 2026 budget and supplementary provisions to ensure timely responses to national security challenges. “The recent declaration of a state of emergency on national security underscores the urgent need for proper funding,” Sanusi said.