Abuja, Nigeria – February 11, 2026 — The Nigerian Senate has issued a strong call for the immediate and complete release of budgeted allocations to the defence sector, warning that any delay or partial disbursement risks undermining the ongoing campaign against insecurity across the country.
The resolution was adopted during plenary on Wednesday following a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central). The motion highlighted the critical importance of adequate and prompt funding for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) amid persistent threats from terrorist groups, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements operating in various parts of the federation.
The Senate expressed deep concern over reports of delayed or incomplete release of funds appropriated for defence purposes in the 2026 fiscal year. Lawmakers argued that timely funding is essential to enable the military to procure essential equipment, sustain operations, maintain troop welfare, and effectively respond to evolving security challenges.
Senator Yar’Adua, while moving the motion, emphasised that Nigeria’s security architecture depends heavily on consistent and predictable budgetary support. He pointed out that delays in the release of funds have historically led to operational setbacks, including shortages of fuel, ammunition, spare parts, and other critical logistics needed for counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism efforts.
“Any delay in the full implementation of defence allocations weakens our capacity to confront insecurity head-on,” Senator Yar’Adua said. “Our gallant troops are making tremendous sacrifices in the line of duty. It is unacceptable that they should be handicapped by avoidable funding constraints when resources have already been appropriated by the National Assembly.”
The motion was unanimously supported by senators across party lines, reflecting a rare display of bipartisan consensus on a national security matter. Contributors to the debate underscored the link between adequate defence funding and broader national stability, economic recovery, and investor confidence. Several lawmakers also called on the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to prioritise defence releases in line with the cash-backing provisions of the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The Senate further resolved to engage relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Defence, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Central Bank of Nigeria, to ensure full compliance with the appropriation timelines. The upper chamber directed its Committee on Defence to monitor the implementation process closely and report back within a stipulated period on the status of fund releases.
The resolution comes against the backdrop of ongoing multi-dimensional security threats across Nigeria. In the North-East, remnants of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to carry out attacks despite significant military gains. The North-West and North-Central regions face persistent banditry, mass kidnappings, and communal clashes, while separatist agitations and oil theft have complicated security in the South-East and Niger Delta respectively.
Defence analysts have long argued that inconsistent funding remains one of the major constraints on Nigeria’s ability to sustain high-tempo operations and modernise its armed forces. The Senate’s position aligns with repeated appeals from service chiefs and the Chief of Defence Staff for predictable and timely budgetary support to enhance operational effectiveness.
The call also reflects growing frustration within the legislature over perceived bottlenecks in the implementation of defence budgets. In previous years, the National Assembly has accused the executive arm of slow or selective releases, particularly for capital projects such as equipment acquisition, infrastructure development, and troop mobility.
Following the adoption of the motion, the Senate President directed that the resolution be communicated formally to the President, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Finance, and other relevant agencies for immediate action.
The development is likely to intensify pressure on the executive to accelerate the implementation of defence allocations. It also underscores the National Assembly’s determination to exercise its oversight function more assertively in matters of national security.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with complex and evolving threats, the Senate’s warning serves as a reminder that effective counter-insecurity measures require not only political will but also the timely provision of necessary resources. The upper chamber has signalled that it will hold relevant institutions accountable to ensure that funds meant for defence are released fully and promptly.
The outcome of this resolution will be closely watched in the coming weeks, particularly as the government works to finalise cash releases for the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year.
