Outrage as Report Shows Only 7% of 2025 Defence Equipment Funds Released Amid Rising Insecurity
Story: written by springnewsng April 30,2026
Fresh concerns have emerged over Nigeria’s worsening security crisis following revelations that only a small fraction of funds allocated for defence equipment in the 2025 budget was actually released.
Data from the Federal Government’s Open Treasury Portal indicates that the Nigerian Army received just ₦1.46 billion out of the ₦20.56 billion budgeted for security equipment as of December 31, 2025—representing only 7.11 percent. The disclosure has sparked widespread criticism from citizens and security analysts who fear the impact on the military’s ability to combat terrorism and violent crime.
This comes against the backdrop of escalating attacks across the country. During the Easter period, coordinated violence in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, and Benue states claimed many lives, including security personnel, while dozens were displaced. Earlier, on March 17, multiple explosions in Maiduguri killed at least 25 people, with insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP blamed for the attacks.
Several senior military officers have also been killed in recent confrontations, underscoring the intensity of the conflict in the North-East.
A report by Beacon Security Intelligence Limited revealed that over 10,000 people were killed across Nigeria in 2025, with thousands more abducted. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, more than 2,350 deaths and over 1,100 abductions were recorded, highlighting the persistent threat posed by non-state armed groups.
Despite the growing insecurity, budget performance figures show significant gaps in funding. Of the ₦4.52 trillion total expenditure proposed by the Nigerian Army for 2025, only 25.94 percent was released. The Nigerian Air Force also received just 19.04 percent of its total budget.
Critical areas such as defence equipment procurement, training, fuel supply, and infrastructure development recorded particularly low disbursements. In some cases—including aircraft fuel, transport fuel, military barracks construction, and research—no funds were released at all.
Meanwhile, aircraft maintenance for the Air Force received only 13.98 percent of its allocated funds. This contrasts sharply with the presidential air fleet, which recorded a 97.76 percent budget implementation.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier extended the implementation of the 2025 budget to June 2026 while signing the ₦68.32 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, a move that has further raised concerns about fiscal pressure and Nigeria’s rising debt profile, which stood at ₦159.28 trillion as of December 2025.
Security experts warn that inadequate funding has weakened the military’s operational capacity, allowing insurgent and criminal groups to regroup and intensify attacks. They also raised concerns about alleged irregularities and political interference in the procurement process.
Beacon Security Intelligence CEO, Dr. Kabiru Adamu, described the situation as alarming, noting that underfunding has contributed to the resurgence of armed groups. He stressed the need for transparency, improved procurement processes, and better welfare and equipment for frontline troops.
He also pointed out that Nigerian soldiers often operate in vulnerable conditions, lacking adequate armoured vehicles and relying on insecure communication systems, which puts them at greater risk.
Analysts have called on the government and the National Assembly to urgently address the funding gaps, strengthen oversight, and ensure accountability to prevent further deterioration of the country’s security situation.
