Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Senate is pushing for the full and timely implementation of the country’s defence budget, warning that delays could hinder the fight against insecurity.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, emphasised that defence spending can’t be postponed, as it gives an edge to enemies and threatens national security.
Lawan made the call on Wednesday during a budget defence session where the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, presented the ministry’s 2025 performance review and 2026 budget proposal.
“We are prepared on this side of government to ensure that our armed forces are given the resources they need,” Sen. Lawan said, while expressing concern over the slow pace of implementing the 2025 budget.
“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 asked.
The lawmaker emphasised that postponing defence spending could give an advantage to criminal elements and insurgents.
“It is defence; you cannot postpone the implementation of the defence budget because that gives an edge to the enemy. We have to insist that our armed forces and other security agencies have their budgets implemented to secure the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
“They need the tools and weapons to fight. If we can provide those, we are committed to giving them the means to effectively combat insecurity,” he added.
Lawan described the budget review session as an accountability exercise, where the Senate is assessing the 2025 budget and addressing parts that were not fully executed, which are now being rolled over into 2026.
“We need to review what has happened,” he said, highlighting the legislature’s determination to ensure transparency and improved performance in defence spending.
In his presentation, General Musa acknowledged the persistent security challenges across the country but reassured lawmakers that the ministry remains committed to improving outcomes.
“Challenges are still there, but we are hoping to do better,” he said, stressing that progress so far was made possible by the support and cooperation of the National Assembly.
