The Senate has called for the full and timely implementation of Nigeria’s defence budget, warning that delays could undermine the country’s efforts to combat rising insecurity.
According to Channels Television, the call was made on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, during a budget defence session with the Ministry of Defence.
The session featured the presentation of the ministry’s 2025 budget performance and its 2026 budget proposal by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa.
Senator Lawan expressed concern over the slow pace of implementing the 2025 defence budget, noting that inadequate execution could negatively affect the operational capacity of the armed forces.
“We are prepared on this side of government to ensure that our armed forces are given the resources they need,” Lawan said.
“However, 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 stressed that effective budget implementation is critical to equipping the military and sustaining ongoing operations against security threats across the country.
Members of the committee also emphasized the need for accountability and efficiency in the utilization of defence funds, noting that delays in releases and procurement processes could weaken national security efforts.
The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the armed forces through adequate funding and oversight, while urging the executive arm of government to ensure prompt disbursement and effective implementation of approved defence budgets to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.
