Don’t Starve Troops of Funds, Senate Warns FG Over Defence Budget Delays

The Senate has raised the alarm that delays in releasing defence funds could weaken Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, warning that postponing military financing gives criminals and terrorists the upper hand.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence and former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, sounded the warning in Abuja during the 2026 budget defence session with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa.
Lawan said any delay in releasing funds to the Armed Forces and other security agencies could undermine ongoing efforts to tackle kidnappers, bandits and terrorists terrorising parts of the country.
“It is defence; you cannot postpone the implementation of the defence budget because that gives an edge to the enemy,” Lawan declared.
He stressed that the National Assembly was committed to ensuring that the military receives the resources required to protect lives and property.
“We are prepared on this side of government to ensure that our Armed Forces are given the resources they need,” he said.
According to him, security agencies must be properly equipped to win the war against insecurity.
“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.
However, the former Senate President expressed concern over the slow pace of implementing the 2025 defence budget, questioning how the government intends to effectively execute the 2026 proposal if the current challenges persist.
In his response, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, acknowledged that security challenges remain across the country but assured lawmakers that the ministry is determined to improve performance.
“Challenges are still there, but we are hoping to do better,” Musa said, attributing progress recorded so far to the support and cooperation of the National Assembly.
The exchange comes amid heightened security concerns nationwide, with the Senate insisting that timely funding remains critical to strengthening the country’s defence architecture.