…“to make a budget is different from releasing funds. When funds are not released, how do you expect performance”.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| Amid the escalating security crisis across Nigeria, recent records from the Federal Government’s Open Treasury Portal showing that the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force are grappling with severe underfunding, particularly in the acquisition of security and defence equipment, have sparked widespread concern among Nigerians.
This comes against the backdrop of a wave of coordinated violent attacks during the Easter period in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina and Benue states, which claimed scores of lives, including five policemen, and left dozens displaced.
On March 17, at least 25 people were killed in simultaneous explosions at the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), the Monday Market Roundabout and the Post Office in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Reports indicated that Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists carried out a series of deadly and coordinated attacks on military formations across Borno State, killing both soldiers and civilians.
Among those who paid the supreme price were senior military officers, including Major U. I. Mairiga, who headed the Mayenti base; the Commander of Kukawa base and the 101 Brigade, Lt-Col Umar Faruq; the Commanding Officer of the 222 Battalion in Konduga, Lt-Col S.I. Iliyasu; the Brigade Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah; and the Commanding Officer of the 242 Battalion, Monguno, Col. I.A. Mohammed.
Another report by Beacon Security Intelligence Limited (BSIL), an Abuja-based firm, revealed that over 10,000 people were killed in Nigeria between January and December 2025. The report detailed that from January 1 to October 31, 2025, 9,514 people were killed across the country. In November, at least 404 Nigerians were killed while 363 were abducted. By December, 323 casualties were recorded in the North West and 241 in the North Central, with the northern region accounting for 91.1 percent of all recorded fatalities within that period.
In a recent interview with Arise TV, BSIL Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kabiru Adamu, disclosed that the organisation’s latest report showed that over 2,350 Nigerians had been killed and 1,117 abducted in the first quarter of 2026 alone.
Amid the worsening situation, details of the 2025 budget performance published on the Open Treasury Portal revealed that of the N20.56 billion allocated to the Nigerian Army for the purchase of security equipment, only N1.46 billion, representing 7.11 percent, was released as of December 31, 2025.
President Bola Tinubu, while signing the N68.32 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, extended the implementation of the 2025 budget to June 31, 2026. This move has further raised concerns about the government’s ability to fund its expenditures, especially as Nigeria’s debt rose to N159.28 trillion in December 2025, in addition to a fresh $6 billion loan recently approved by the Senate.
Of the N4.52 trillion total expenditure proposed by the Army for 2025, only N1.17 trillion, representing 25.94 percent, was released by year-end. Similarly, the Nigerian Air Force received N238.32 billion out of its N1.25 trillion budget, representing 19.04 percent.
Further breakdown of the data showed that out of the N336.76 billion earmarked for the purchase of defence equipment by the Army, only N16.71 billion was disbursed, representing 4.96 percent.
Additionally, just N5.76 billion and N3.89 billion were released for the construction/provision and repairs of defence equipment, out of budgets of N57.59 billion and N22.60 billion, translating to 10 percent and 9.07 percent performance, respectively.
Other critical areas recorded similarly low funding levels, including local training (N2 billion out of N18.56 billion, representing 10.78 percent), international training (N2 billion out of N29.80 billion, representing 6.71 percent), and motor vehicle fuel costs (N1.17 billion out of N15.71 billion, representing 7.45 percent).
Notably, no funds were released for several key items, including transport equipment fuel costs (budgeted at N21.02 billion), aircraft fuel costs (N12.81 billion), promotion, recruitment and appointment (N384.08 million), construction/provision of military barracks (N206.97 billion), and research and development (N100 million).
The Nigerian Air Force also recorded poor funding in critical operational areas. Only N4.85 billion, representing 13.98 percent of the N34.71 billion budgeted for aircraft maintenance, was released as of December 2025.
This stands in stark contrast to the N20.27 billion disbursed for the presidential air fleet, out of the N20.74 billion budgeted, reflecting a 97.76 percent implementation rate.
Similarly, of the N15.75 billion budgeted for the purchase of Air Force security equipment, N5.25 billion was released, representing 33.33 percent. The procurement of defence equipment fared worse, with only N19.25 billion, 6.45 percent of the N298.44 billion budget, disbursed.
While N4.71 billion (3.99 percent) was released for the rehabilitation and repair of defence equipment from a budget of N117.90 billion, no funds were allocated for the construction/provision of defence equipment (N7.16 billion), welfare packages (N28.33 million), construction of military barracks (N95.68 million), repairs of military barracks (N6.76 billion), and transport equipment fuel costs (N45.03 million).
Following these revelations, Nigerians have expressed growing concern, warning of the potential dangers if urgent measures are not taken to address the deteriorating security situation.
Experts argue that the funding shortfall has significantly undermined the effectiveness of the military in combating terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Speaking on the issue, Dr. Kabiru Adamu noted that the consequences of such underfunding are severe, contributing to the resurgence and strengthening of non-state armed groups.
“I think this is the first time I’m hearing percentages of the budgetary release according to the 2025 budget. Of course, if you go back to 2024, you will find out that it has an impact on what is happening at the moment. The consequences are scary. These groups were able to restructure themselves. They were able to come together again and are now fighting even more fiercely than before. That is very serious,” he said.
He further advised that beyond increasing funding, the procurement process must be sanitised to ensure accountability and transparency, adding that the National Assembly must strengthen its oversight functions.
“I’m part of those who believe that the war economy has created a conduit for siphoning public funds. We must enhance accountability so that funds are used for their intended purposes. That means reviewing the procurement system, as political interference is becoming a major concern,” he stated.
Adamu also stressed the need for better equipment, improved welfare for soldiers, and investment in modern military technology, including drones and secure communication systems.
Former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, also expressed concern over the poor budget performance, stating that without adequate funding, security agencies cannot function effectively.
“To make a budget is different from releasing funds. When funds are not released, how do you expect performance, especially in a sector as critical as security? Non-state actors are now gaining advantage in arms and operations,” he said.
Public affairs analyst Nguroje Samson called for a thorough investigation into the low budget releases, urging authorities to identify and punish those responsible.
“We cannot continue like this. Billions are budgeted for security, yet only a fraction is released while Nigerians continue to die daily. Nigerians must demand accountability,” he said.
He warned that continued neglect of the security sector could have dire consequences, urging both government and citizens to take decisive action to address the crisis.
