2025 BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION: CONCERNS RAISED OVER ALLEGED 7% DISBURSEMENT FOR SECURITY EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT
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By; Ganiyat Sunmola
Amid Nigeria’s worsening security situation, recent data from the Federal Government’s Open Treasury Portal indicating that the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force are facing severe underfunding in the procurement of defence and security equipment has sparked widespread concern among citizens.
This comes against the backdrop of renewed waves of violent attacks across parts of the country. During the Easter period, coordinated assaults in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina and Benue states reportedly left dozens dead, including five police officers, while many others were displaced.
On March 17, at least 25 people were killed in multiple explosions at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate, Monday Market Roundabout, and Post Office area in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Security reports also indicate that Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents carried out several coordinated attacks on military formations in Borno, resulting in the deaths of both soldiers and civilians. Senior military officers, including commanders and brigade leaders across various units, were among those killed in the operations.
A separate report by Beacon Security Intelligence Limited (BSIL) estimated that over 10,000 people were killed nationwide between January and December 2025. The firm further stated that from January to October 2025 alone, 9,514 deaths were recorded, with additional fatalities and abductions reported in the final months of the year. It also disclosed that over 2,350 people were killed and 1,117 abducted in the first quarter of 2026.
Despite the rising insecurity, budget implementation records show low disbursement for defence procurement. Of the N20.56 billion allocated to the Nigerian Army for security equipment in 2025, only N1.46 billion—about 7.11 per cent—was released as of December 31, 2025.
President Bola Tinubu, while signing the 2026 Appropriation Bill, extended the implementation of the 2025 budget to June 2026, raising further concerns over fiscal constraints, especially as Nigeria’s debt reportedly rose to N159.28 trillion in December 2025, alongside a fresh $6 billion loan approval by the Senate.
The Army’s overall expenditure performance also reflected low implementation, with N1.17 trillion released out of N4.52 trillion, representing 25.94 per cent. For the Air Force, N238.32 billion was disbursed out of N1.25 trillion, or 19.04 per cent.
Further breakdown showed that only N16.71 billion was released out of N336.76 billion for defence equipment procurement by the Army, representing just 4.96 per cent. Other critical allocations such as training, fuel costs, barracks construction, and research and development also recorded very low or zero implementation in some cases.
For the Air Force, aircraft maintenance received N4.85 billion out of N34.71 billion (13.98 per cent), while N20.27 billion was disbursed for the presidential air fleet out of N20.74 billion, representing 97.76 per cent implementation.
Similarly, of N15.75 billion allocated for equipment procurement, only N5.25 billion was released, representing 33.33 per cent, while several other defence-related budget lines recorded minimal or no disbursement.
The development has triggered reactions from Nigerians and security experts, who warn that the funding gaps are weakening the military’s capacity to combat terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes, particularly in the northern region.
Security analyst Kabiru Adamu noted that the consequences of underfunding are already evident in the resurgence of armed groups, adding that inadequate procurement and weak accountability structures are worsening the crisis.
He stressed the need for reforms in the procurement process, stronger legislative oversight, and improved welfare and equipment for frontline troops, including modern armoured vehicles, communication systems, and drone technology to match evolving threats.
Former DSS Director Mike Ejiofor also described the situation as alarming, stating that poor budget releases directly affect operational effectiveness, especially in a period of rising insecurity.
Public affairs analyst Nguroje Samson, however, urged Nigerians not to remain silent, calling for investigations into the alleged poor budget performance and accountability for those responsible. He warned that continued mismanagement of security funds could further worsen the country’s insecurity crisis.
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