The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, has urged the government to implement Nigeria’s defence budget in full and without delay, warning that any setback could weaken the country’s security operations.
He made the call on Wednesday during a budget defence session in which the Minister of Defence presented the ministry’s 2025 performance report and its 2026 budget proposal. Senator Lawan assured the Minister that the Senate remains resolute in ensuring that the armed forces receive adequate resources to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
“We stand ready on this side of government to ensure that our armed forces receive the resources they require,” he said. However, he voiced concern over the sluggish implementation of the 2025 budget.
“The implementation process has been slow. How can we move forward if we fail to fully execute the 2025 budget? How do we then address 2026?” he queried.
The Committee Chairman stressed that defence expenditure cannot be deferred, warning that funding delays could embolden criminal groups and insurgents.
“This concerns defence; we cannot postpone implementation of the defence budget because that would give the enemy an advantage. We must ensure that our armed forces and other security agencies have their budgets implemented to protect the lives of Nigerians,” he stated.
“They require the necessary equipment and weapons to fight. If we provide these, we will have given them the means to tackle insecurity effectively,” he added.
Senator Lawan described the session as part of the Senate’s oversight responsibility, explaining that lawmakers were reviewing the ministry’s 2025 budget performance, particularly as some allocations had not been fully utilised and were carried forward into 2026.
“We must assess what has transpired,” he said, reaffirming the Senate’s commitment to improving performance and ensuring transparency in defence spending.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, acknowledged that security challenges persist nationwide as he presented the 2026 budget proposal during his first appearance before the committee for budget defence.
He told members of the Senate Committee on Defence that the ministry remains determined to enhance its performance despite ongoing difficulties.
“Challenges remain, but we intend to improve,” he said.
The Minister also credited the committee’s support for the progress achieved so far, noting that the ministry’s accomplishments would not have been possible without the cooperation and backing of the National Assembly.