Nigeria has committed an estimated ₦32.88 trillion to defence over the past 15 years, yet insecurity continues to affect several parts of the country.
This allocation represents about 12.5 per cent of the ₦262.83 trillion total national budgets recorded within the same period.
Across the country, communities still face insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, communal clashes and oil-related violence, raising concerns about the effectiveness of rising defence expenditure.
Security data indicates that more than 100,000 Nigerians have lost their lives in violent incidents since 2012, while many others have been abducted and displaced.
As of 2026, at least 3.726 million people are reportedly displaced and living in about 3,900 camps nationwide.
Recent figures also suggest that within the first 41 days of the year, no fewer than 1,091 deaths were linked to violent attacks.
The current situation has prompted renewed scrutiny of defence spending by the National Assembly as deliberations on the 2026 budget continue.
The Senate is considering a proposed ₦58.47 trillion appropriation bill, which includes about ₦5.41 trillion for defence and security.
This allocation remains one of the largest components of the proposed budget submitted by the president, Bola Tinubu, in December 2025.
The senate president, Godswill Akpabio, said lawmakers are working towards passing the budget before March 31 after completing committee reviews.
Legislators have also stressed that timely release of funds is essential to sustain military operations across the country.
Similarly, the House of Representatives is expected to resume examination of defence proposals after its legislative recess.
Committees overseeing defence, army, navy and air force are reviewing areas such as troop welfare, procurement and operational logistics.
Lawmakers have indicated that emphasis will be placed on accountability and measurable outcomes tied to budgetary allocations.
Nigeria’s defence spending has grown steadily in recent years as authorities respond to security threats in multiple regions.
In 2025, about ₦6.57 trillion was allocated to defence and security, while ₦5.41 trillion has been proposed for 2026.
Within the current proposal, the ministry of defence is expected to receive about ₦3.154 trillion for personnel, logistics and capital projects.
Despite these increases, questions remain about whether higher allocations are improving safety conditions.
The chief of defence staff, general Olufemi Oluyede, said the armed forces alone cannot address all security challenges in the country.
He noted that stronger collaboration with other security agencies is necessary to sustain gains made in conflict areas.
“If these institutions are strengthened, they can effectively hold and secure territories where the Armed Forces have succeeded, ensuring that such areas remain safe,” he said.
Oluyede also highlighted operational pressure on military personnel deployed across different regions.
“The soldiers hardly have rest because we don’t have the numbers,” he said.
“That is why strengthening the police and civil defence is critical,” he added.
The defence chief disclosed that operations are ongoing in several parts of the country, including the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.
Special forces have also been deployed to states such as Benue and Plateau to address persistent violence.
Plans are underway to extend operations to parts of Kwara and Niger states following reports of rising insecurity.
A new joint task force known as Operation Savannah Shield is expected to coordinate activities in affected areas.
“We are pulling resources from other theatres to strengthen this operation and ensure improved security in the area,” he said.
The military has also engaged in intelligence-sharing partnerships with allied countries to enhance surveillance and response.
“Our partners have been quite helpful, particularly in intelligence,” Oluyede said.
“But we are careful to streamline these collaborations in line with the guidelines of Mr President,” he added.
At the legislative level, lawmakers have called for a broader approach to addressing insecurity beyond military intervention.
The chairman of the house committee on defence, rep. Babajimi Benson, said improved security requires stronger coordination among institutions.
“The defence and security sector occupies a central place in Nigeria’s development discourse,” he said.
“Nigerians expect results that translate into safer communities, restored livelihoods and renewed confidence in the authority of the state,” he added.
He also emphasised the need for reforms in areas such as intelligence sharing, community engagement and border security.
Other proposed measures include investment in technology, strategic communication and data-driven policing systems.
The continued review of the defence budget is expected to shape both the scale of funding and oversight mechanisms tied to its use.
As deliberations progress, attention remains focused on whether increased spending will translate into improved safety outcomes.
While authorities point to ongoing operations and gradual progress in some regions, insecurity persists in several communities.
The central issue remains whether sustained budget increases can address structural challenges affecting the country’s security framework.
With the 2026 budget expected to be finalised soon, observers are closely monitoring not only the figures but also the impact of implementation on the ground.
