The Senate and House Committees on Army have promised to ensure fast funds allocation to the Nigerian Army.
The Chairmen of the committee, Senator Abdullazees Ya’Adua and Mr. Aminu Balele resolved to increase the proposed 2026 budget of the Nigerian Army to address the nation’s security situation.
The resolution was reached during the 2026 budget defence session with the Chief of Army Staff, in Abuja.
They pointed out that following the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu on insecurity months ago, the current 2026 budget does not reflect the new realities.
The legislators also observed that about seventy percent of the 2025 budget had been rolled over into the 2026 fiscal framework, raising concerns that the appropriation did not adequately capture the financial implications of the emergency declared by the President.
The committee stressed the urgency of adjusting the budget through a supplementary appropriation to meet emerging security demands.
The chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdullazees Ya’Adua said, “All members are unanimous that what is very very critical the issue of the release of funds which all MDAs have challenges with. I want to assure the Chief of Army Staff, we’ll look into your submission and as usual, we’ll continue to collaborate with you and make sure that you succeed.”
He encouraged the COAS not to hesitate to reach out to the committee for whatever else he needs.
The joint committee also resolved to invite the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning to appear before it to explain issues surrounding the release of funds to the Army, amid concerns that delayed releases were affecting operations, logistics, and infrastructure development.
The chairman House Committee on Army, Mr. Aminu Balele assured the Chief of Army Staff of the National Assembly’s continued cooperation and pledged to explore legislative avenues, including gains from recent tax reforms, to strengthen military capacity.
“As we close the 2026 budget defence, I want to thank my Senate counterpart, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua and his colleagues for joining hands with us for this national assignment. I commend the Chief of Army Staff and his team for their patriotism and commitment.
“In my capacity as the chairman of the House Committee on Army, I wish to salute Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for his unwavering support. We know the issues involved with budgets and we are ready to push and will continue to push for the timely release of funds, so that you can deliver on your mandates,” Mr Balele said.
The committee emphasised the need for sustained collaboration between the legislature and the military to enhance operational effectiveness and address the country’s evolving security challenges.
The joint Committee of the National Assembly expressed satisfaction with the N1.504,251,069,722 trillion 2026 budget proposal for the Nigerian Army.
The committee assured the Army that it will ensure that funds appropriated are released for the execution of the budget.
The Chief of Army Staff, who attended the session in person, later presented detailed operational achievements during a closed-door meeting.