Senate Demands Full Defence Funding

The Senate has issued a stern demand for the full and timely implementation of Nigeria’s defence budget, warning that further delays in funding could severely undermine the nation’s ongoing fight against insecurity. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, articulated this stance during a budget defence session where the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, presented the ministry’s 2025 performance review and 2026 budget proposal.

Senator Lawan expressed deep concern regarding the slow pace of implementing the 2025 defence budget, emphasizing that such delays hamper preparations for the upcoming fiscal year. He argued that postponing defence spending effectively grants an advantage to insurgents and criminal groups operating across the country.

Lawan insisted that the armed forces must be provided with the necessary tools and weapons to combat insecurity effectively. Describing the budget session as a crucial accountability exercise, the lawmaker noted that the Senate is currently reviewing 2025 expenditures, parts of which were not fully executed and have been rolled over into the 2026 fiscal year.

In his presentation, the Minister of Defence acknowledged the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria but assured the committee of the ministry’s unwavering commitment to improving outcomes. Gen. Musa credited the National Assembly’s support for the progress recorded so far and expressed optimism about achieving enhanced results in the coming year.