National Assembly approves N1.5tn budget for Nigerian Army

Nigerian Army 2026 budget approved at N1.5tn as lawmakers commit to timely fund release to strengthen operations against insurgency and crime

The National Assembly has approved a N1.5 trillion budget proposal for the Nigerian Army for the 2026 fiscal year, pledging legislative support to ensure funds are released promptly for implementation.

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The approval followed a joint budget defence session in Abuja, where Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, presented details of the proposed expenditure to Senate and House of Representatives committees on the Army.

Speaking after the session, Senate Committee on Army Chairman, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, said lawmakers were satisfied with the presentation and reassured the Chief of Army Staff of their commitment to supporting the military in discharging its constitutional duties.

“All members of the joint committee also agreed that the major issue is the delay in the release of funds, a matter affecting all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

I want to assure the Chief of Army Staff that we are committed to collaborating with him to succeed,” Yar’Adua said.

House Committee on Army Chairman, Aminu Balele, commended the Nigerian Army for its dedication and sacrifices in safeguarding the country.

He also praised Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for his support and vowed that lawmakers would continue advocating for timely fund releases to enable the Army to deliver on its mandate.

The N1.5 trillion allocation comes amid calls for increased funding of Nigeria’s security apparatus, particularly the armed forces, as the country continues to face insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.

Over the past decade, the Nigerian Army has been at the forefront of counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the North-East, while also deploying troops to North-West and North-Central regions to combat banditry and maintain internal security nationwide.

Security analysts and military authorities have emphasised that the evolving nature of asymmetric warfare requires sustained investment in modern equipment, intelligence gathering, troop welfare, logistics, and training.

Delays in fund release can disrupt operational planning, slow procurement, and affect troop morale.

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Lawmakers highlighted that timely disbursement will be crucial to translating the approved budget into tangible gains on multiple fronts and ensuring national stability.

Quadri Olaitan