🇳🇬Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan Calls for Dedicated Defence Funding to Strengthen Nigeria’s Security

Former Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, has called for more predictable and sustained funding for Nigeria’s Armed Forces and other security agencies, proposing dedicated budgetary provisions to strengthen military equipment procurement and address delays in releasing operational resources.

Desk: Defence & Security
Date: October 12, 2026
Time: 22:20 WAT
Location: Abuja, FCT
Author: Nokai Origin

Lawan made the call in a goodwill message at the 2026 Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) Conference in Abuja, where he commended the military and other security agencies for their sacrifices and urged Nigerians to recognise security as a shared national responsibility.

Lawan Seeks More Predictable Defence Financing

Lawan argued that as government revenues improve, Nigeria should consider dedicating a proportion of available resources to acquiring weapons, platforms and other equipment required by the Armed Forces and security agencies. He also advocated placing their budgets on first-line charge to reduce challenges associated with delayed releases and ensure operational needs are addressed more consistently.

Drawing on more than 27 years in the National Assembly, the former Senate President said requests from the executive for security-related funding had received legislative approval, reflecting the importance lawmakers attach to national security. He reaffirmed the legislature’s responsibility to support the agencies within the country’s available resources.

Military Sacrifices Deserve Public Recognition

Lawan commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making additional resources available to the Armed Forces and other security agencies. He acknowledged that Nigeria had yet to reach its desired security situation but maintained that progress was being made through the sacrifices of personnel operating across the country.

He urged citizens to recognise that national security is not the responsibility of uniformed personnel alone. Nigerians outside the security services also have a role in supporting the institutions working to protect lives and maintain stability.

The former Senate President further praised defence correspondents and journalists for informing citizens about military operations and helping the public understand the efforts required to address insecurity.

Funding Must Translate Into Operational Capability

Lawan maintained that security agencies need adequate equipment and resources to perform their duties effectively, cautioning against expecting significant results when personnel are deployed with insufficient support. He called for sustained action against insurgency, banditry and other criminal activities while arguing that Nigeria could improve further on the progress already made.

His proposals place defence financing and budget implementation at the centre of the wider security debate. Predictable releases, sustained procurement and adequate operational support would help address some of the constraints that can affect the ability of security agencies to carry out their responsibilities.

Lawan’s message ultimately called for a stronger connection between national resources and operational requirements, alongside continued public recognition of the sacrifices made by Nigeria’s security personnel.

🏷️ Tags: Zig Bulletin, Defence & Security, Ahmed Lawan, Defence Funding, National Security, Nigerian Armed Forces

#ZigBulletin #ZigDiariesDefence #AhmedLawan #DefenceFunding #NationalSecurity #NigerianArmedForces