Security
Insecurity: Nigeria’s N32.8 Trillion Defence Spending in 15 Years Raises Concerns Over Safety
Despite the allocation of about N32.88 trillion to defence over the past 15 years—representing roughly 12.
Using official budget exchange rates across the years, the N32.88 trillion amounts to approximately $44.641 billion.
Across various regions, communities continue to grapple with insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, communal clashes, and oil-related violence. This has continued to raise concerns over whether increased defence spending is translating into improved safety for citizens.
Security trackers estimate that more than 100,000 Nigerians have lost their lives to violent conflicts and insecurity-related incidents since 2012. Thousands have also been abducted, while millions have been displaced from their homes.
The situation shows little sign of improvement in 2026, with at least 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 and scattered across about 3,900 camps nationwide. Additionally, suicide bombings—last prominent in 2014—have resurfaced, with multiple casualties recorded in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Against this backdrop, the National Assembly has intensified scrutiny of defence spending as lawmakers work towards passing the 2026 Appropriation Bill by March 31.
Senate Targets March 31 Passage
The Senate is currently considering the N58.47 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, which includes about N5.41 trillion for defence and security—one of the largest sectoral allocations in the proposed budget. The proposal is 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 commenced 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 towards passing the budget before March 31, once committee reports are submitted and harmonised.
Lawmakers have also stressed the urgency of timely budget implementation, warning that delays in defence funding could weaken ongoing military operations.
Reps to Resume Defence Budget Scrutiny
Similarly, the House of Representatives is set to resume detailed deliberations on the defence component of the 2026 budget upon reconvening from recess.
House Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force are expected to continue reviewing the proposals, with emphasis on troop welfare, operational logistics, intelligence gathering, and procurement of military equipment.
Lawmakers have stated that the review will prioritise accountability, operational efficiency, and performance-based budgeting, insisting that increased allocations must result in measurable improvements in national security.
The renewed legislative focus 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.
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