The House of Representatives says it will continue to provide a legislative framework to increase funding for the Nigerian armed forces to improve capability and efficiency in line with its legislative agenda.
Speaker of the House Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila stated this in Abuja at a one-day public hearing on the Armed Forces Support Trust Fund Bill 2021 being considered by the National Assembly.
Represented by the House Leader, Alh. AlHassan Ado-Doguwa, the Speaker expressed concern that less than ten percent of the Armed Forces Annual Budget spent on capital projects, describing it as inadequate.
“This is grossly incapable of empowering the military to face the security challenges in the country, especially the insurgency in the North East. To succeed in this fight, the Armed Forces of Nigeria requires more funding for modern weapons and required training. Spending on military hardware must definitely increase to support the zeal and commitment already being exhibited by our soldiers.” Doguwa added.
The Chairman House Committee on Defence, organizers of the event, Mr. Babajimi Benson in a remark said the bill is to explore alternative sources of funding for the Armed Forces to upgrade equipment infrastructure that will position them to be more effective in securing the nation.
While reiterating the commitment of the House to the security of the nation, Mr. Benson said Nigeria should expect a better outcome when the bill scales through.
He said “It is pertinent to know that, globally, no country adequately finances its armed forces solely through annual budgetary allocations.
The Armed Forces Support Trust Fund Bill 2021 is to create a five-year funding plan, outside the annual budgetary allocations, for revamping the Nigerian Armed Forces.”
Contributing, the Director General, Defence Research and Development Bureau, Air Vice Marshal Peter Uzezi advocated dedicating a certain percentage of the fund for research for the production of equipment locally.
Nigeria occupies fourth position on Africa defence spending with two-point-six billion dollar spent on its armed forces in 2020.
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