Nigeria’s National Assembly has given the green light to a ₦1.5 trillion budget for the Nigerian Army in 2026, with lawmakers from both chambers voicing strong backing for the military’s operational needs and pledging to fight for timely disbursement of funds.
The approval came during a joint budget defence session between the Army Committee of the National Assembly and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, held in Abuja.
Senate Army Committee Chairman Abdulaziz Yar’Adua confirmed the development, saying members were fully satisfied with the Army’s financial proposal. He did, however, flag a recurring concern that has undermined budget execution across government agencies — the chronic delay in releasing approved funds.
“The Army is critical to our nation’s security, and we will support you with everything you need,” Yar’Adua said, offering a direct assurance to the Chief of Army Staff that the legislature stands firmly behind the institution.
His counterpart in the House of Representatives, Army Committee Chairman Aminu Balele, used the occasion to commend Lieutenant General Shaibu and the broader rank and file of the Nigerian Army for their dedication in combating insurgency and defending the country’s borders. Balele echoed the Senate’s commitment to ensuring the budget doesn’t stall at the implementation stage, a problem that has historically blunted the impact of defence allocations.
“We will continue to push for the timely release of funds so that the Army can fulfil its mandate,” Balele said, underscoring the committee’s intent to sustain active oversight throughout the fiscal year.
The approval signals legislative confidence in the Army’s spending blueprint, even as both chambers acknowledge that funding delays remain the most significant obstacle between budget approvals on paper and real operational impact on the ground.
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