NASS Approves N1.50tn 2026 Budget for Nigerian Army, Vows Timely Fund Release

NASS has approved N1.50tn 2026 Budget for Nigerian Army and vowed timely fund release.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the National Assembly has approved a ₦1.50 trillion budget proposal for the Nigerian Army for the 2026 fiscal year, pledging strong legislative support to ensure prompt release of funds for its implementation.

 

The approval followed a joint budget defence session in Abuja by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Army, where the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, presented details of the proposed expenditure.

 

Speaking after the session, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, said lawmakers were satisfied with the Army’s presentation and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting its constitutional responsibilities.

 

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“We had a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Army on the 2026 budget and, after listening to the presentation of the Chief of Army Staff, all members expressed satisfaction,” Yar’Adua stated.

 

He noted that delayed release of funds remains a major challenge affecting Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), but assured the Army of the legislature’s backing to address the issue.

 

“The Army is critical to our national life, and we will support you with everything you need to succeed,” he added.

 

Chairman of the House Committee on Army, Aminu Balele, also commended the Chief of Army Staff, officers and personnel for their sacrifices in safeguarding the country. He pledged sustained legislative pressure to ensure appropriated funds are released without delay.

 

“As we close the 2026 budget defence, I commend the Chief of Army Staff and his team for their patriotism and commitment. We are ready to push for the timely release of funds so you can deliver on your mandates,” Balele said.

 

The ₦1.50 trillion allocation comes amid renewed calls for increased investment in Nigeria’s security architecture as the country continues to battle insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

 

For more than a decade, the Nigerian Army has led counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North-East, while also confronting armed bandits and criminal networks in the North-West and North-Central regions.

 

Security experts have consistently argued that modern asymmetric warfare demands sustained funding for advanced equipment, intelligence capabilities, troop welfare, logistics and training. They warn that delays in releasing approved funds could hamper procurement processes, disrupt operations and affect troop morale.

 

In recent years, the National Assembly has faced pressure to not only increase defence spending but also enhance oversight to ensure transparency and accountability. Lawmakers, however, maintain that while budget approvals are within their mandate, actual cash backing often remains a systemic challenge.

 

The 2026 budget approval is therefore viewed as both a financial commitment and a political signal of support for ongoing military operations, with lawmakers emphasizing that timely fund disbursement will be key to achieving tangible security gains nationwide.