In a move to reinforce the fight against insecurity and prosecute the ongoing anti-insurgency campaign, the Nigerian Federal Government has set aside a substantial N575.6 billion in a special funding budget. Among this allocation, N184.25 billion has been earmarked for the acquisition of military equipment, arms, and ammunition.
This significant financial commitment was included in the recently approved N2.18 trillion supplementary budget for the 2023 fiscal year, as passed by the Federal Executive Council.
According to details obtained by our correspondent, out of the N552.6 billion, the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces will receive a significant portion—over N147.03 billion—specifically designated for intensifying internal operations against groups like Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers, and other anti-insurgency efforts.
Among the recipients of these allocations are the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and Nigerian Navy, securing N211.5 billion, N112.2 billion, and N62.8 billion, respectively. These three arms of the military command the largest share of the military budget.
It’s worth noting that this allocation is further divided into recurrent and capital expenditures, with recurrent expenses amounting to N245.1 billion and capital expenditures reaching N329.99 billion.
Following the Federal Executive Council meeting, Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, emphasized the budget’s primary purpose is to “fund urgent issues, including national defense and security.” Bagudu added, “N605 billion for national defense and security is essential to sustain the security gains already achieved and to accelerate these efforts before the year concludes.”
Additionally, the supplementary budget allocates N300 billion for bridge repair projects, including the Eko and Third Mainland Bridges, alongside various road construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance efforts across the nation, before the rainy season returns. Furthermore, N18 billion has been set aside for the Independent National Electoral Commission to facilitate the Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo elections. An additional N5.5 billion is allocated for the launch of the student loans board, scheduled to commence loan disbursements in January 2024.
The document also highlights a N49.99 billion allocation to the Ministry of Defence, with N33.6 billion allocated for recurrent expenses and N16.4 billion for capital investments. For the Nigerian Army, N211.5 billion has been designated, with N116.3 billion for recurrent expenditure and N95.2 billion for capital projects. The Department of State Services is set to receive N49.04 billion.
Among the noteworthy capital projects within the Nigerian Army’s allocation is the purchase of arms and ammunition, including the refurbishment and enhancement of 155mm self-propelled Howitzer Palmaria artillery guns, with a budget of N27.1 billion. The Nigerian Navy is set to benefit from N8.92 billion for arms, ammunition, and associated equipment. The Nigerian Air Force has allocated N80.48 billion for aircraft arms and ammunition.
The Department of State Services has allocated N36.99 billion for the acquisition of various security equipment, including an upgraded version of the IMSI catcher, MMG556, AK Alpha Rifle, and RPG 7V2 (40MM), with budgets ranging from N1.19 billion to N1.53 billion.
Other security agencies, including the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Navy, and the Police, have been allocated N7.5 billion, N11.93 billion, and N20.33 billion, respectively. Notably, an additional N31.59 billion has been budgeted to boost the morale of security officers through allowances and severance packages. This comes in the wake of reports indicating that 186 security operatives have lost their lives in the line of duty in various regions of Nigeria between January and September 2023.
The Nigerian government has also approved N1.13 billion for the insurance of critical assets of the Nigerian Police Force for the 2021/2022 policy. Furthermore, N18 billion has been designated for security debarment allowance, while N5 billion is approved for the payment of outstanding group life assurance to deceased personnel from 2011 to 2023. Additionally, N795 million has been allocated for the burial expenses of deceased officers from August 2021 to March 2023, among other welfare packages.
Furthermore, to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta region, the government has allocated N16.02 billion under Operation Dakatar da Barawo, a project aimed at halting theft of oil. Launched in September 2022, this operation is a collaborative effort between the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited to safeguard the nation’s oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta region.
In a separate development, the government plans to invest N5.09 billion in the president’s yacht project.