Minister of Defence retired General Christopher Musa appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on 3 September 2026 and released specific prices of advanced weapons to defend Nigeria’s ₦5.41 trillion allocation for defence and security in the 2026 federal budget.

The minister argued that the sum, while large in naira terms, purchases only limited modern capability once converted into dollars and must also cover the salaries of serving personnel.

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General Musa told viewers that a single Tomahawk missile costs $3.2 million while the least expensive precision drone bomb stands at $100,000, equivalent to roughly ₦140 million at current rates.

“When we go about these issues, how much do these things cost? If you divide 5 point something trillion, divide it to dollars, what can you buy? Maybe you can buy a few things,” he said.

He further illustrated the operational pressure by noting that one naval vessel can consume fuel equal to 10 or 20 trailers within five hours and return empty.

The ₦5.41 trillion forms the largest sectoral share of the ₦68.32 trillion Appropriation Act signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 17 April 2026.

The original proposal presented in December 2025 totalled ₦58.47 trillion before lawmakers increased the overall figure.

Defence and security spending continues to outrank infrastructure at ₦3.56 trillion, education at ₦3.52 trillion and health at ₦2.48 trillion, reflecting the administration’s sustained priority on security amid ongoing challenges from terrorism and banditry.

Beyond justifying the headline number, General Musa highlighted domestic progress. Nigeria now produces Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers locally, with more private companies joining the manufacturing effort.

The government is also developing an indigenous air defence system to strengthen protection of national airspace and reduce reliance on costly imports.

Similar cost figures for precision munitions appeared in General Musa’s earlier remarks during his Senate screening in December 2025, when he stressed that each medium-range drone missile expended represents a significant financial outlay whether or not it hits its target.

Supporters of the allocation maintain that effective security underpins economic recovery and public safety.

Critics continue to question whether the scale of spending produces commensurate results and whether social sectors receive sufficient attention.

Also read: Defence Minister Musa Explains Why Tackling Sambisa Forest Is No Easy Task

The television appearance provides a clear public explanation of the practical arithmetic behind military procurement and the resource pressures facing those tasked with national defence.