Insecurity: Senate Demands Full Implementation Of Defence Budget

The Senate has called for the full and timely implementation of Nigeria’s defence budget, warning that delays in funding could undermine the country’s fight against insecurity.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, made the call on Wednesday during a budget defence session where the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, presented the ministry’s 2025 performance review and 2026 budget proposal.

Lawan expressed concern about the slow pace of implementing the 2025 defence budget, stressing that the situation could hamper preparations for the coming fiscal year.

“We are prepared on this side of government to ensure that our armed forces are given the resources they need,” the lawmaker said.

“The exercise of implementation has been slow. How are we prepared to move forward if we are unable to implement the 2025 budget fully? How do we deal with 2026?” he asked.

The senator warned that postponing defence spending could embolden insurgents and criminal groups operating across the country.

“It is defence; you cannot postpone the implementation of the defence budget because that gives an edge to the enemy. We have to insist that our armed forces and other security agencies have their budgets implemented to secure the lives of Nigerians,” he said.

“They need the tools and weapons to fight. If we can provide those, we are committed to giving them the means to effectively combat insecurity,” Lawan added.

He described the session as part of the National Assembly’s oversight responsibility, noting that lawmakers were reviewing aspects of the 2025 budget that were not fully executed and had been rolled over into the 2026 fiscal year.

“We need to review what has happened,” he said, emphasising the legislature’s resolve to ensure accountability, transparency and improved performance in defence spending.

In his presentation, the Minister of Defence acknowledged that security challenges persist across the country but assured lawmakers of the ministry’s commitment to improving outcomes.

“Challenges are still there, but we are hoping to do better,” Gen. Musa said.

He noted that the progress recorded so far had been made possible through the support and cooperation of the National Assembly, expressing optimism about enhanced results in the coming year.