ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Senate has raised concerns over delays in implementing Nigeria’s defence budget, warning that slow releases and execution gaps could weaken ongoing security operations across the country.
The caution came during a budget defence session on Wednesday, where the Minister of Defence presented the ministry’s 2025 performance report alongside its 2026 budget proposal before the Senate Committee on Defence.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Ahmed Lawan, said the National Assembly remains committed to ensuring the armed forces are adequately funded, but stressed that appropriation alone is not enough without timely execution.
“We are prepared on this side of government to ensure that our armed forces are given the resources they need,” Lawan said.
He, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of implementation of the 2025 budget, questioning how the country intends to make progress if current allocations are not fully utilised.
“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.
Lawan emphasised that security funding is not an area where delays can be tolerated, noting that postponements in releasing funds could embolden insurgents and other criminal groups.
“It is defence; you cannot postpone the implementation of the defence budget because that gives an edge to the enemy,” he said.
“We have to insist that our armed forces and other security agencies have their budgets implemented to secure the lives of Nigerians. They need the tools and weapons to fight.”
According to him, the Senate will continue to push for full implementation to ensure the military is properly equipped to confront insecurity.
The committee chairman described the session as part of its oversight responsibility, explaining that lawmakers were scrutinising the ministry’s 2025 performance, particularly aspects of the budget that were not fully executed and have now been rolled into the 2026 proposal.
“We need to review what has happened,” he said, underscoring the importance of transparency and improved efficiency in defence spending.
Presenting the proposal, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, admitted that security challenges persist nationwide but assured lawmakers that efforts were ongoing to improve outcomes.
“Challenges are still there, but we are hoping to do better,” he said.
Musa also commended the National Assembly for its continued support, noting that progress recorded so far would not have been possible without legislative backing.
The 2026 proposal comes amid sustained military operations across multiple theatres, with the government under pressure to demonstrate measurable gains against insurgency and other security threats.