The Federal Government has unveiled its proposed 2026 military and defence budget, following public scrutiny over the utilisation of the N10.6 trillion allocated to the sector in the 2025 fiscal year.
The disclosure comes amid growing concerns from Nigerians who argue that despite massive annual defence spending, the country’s security challenges have continued to worsen.
Many citizens have questioned the impact of previous allocations, insisting that if defence funds were effectively utilised, Nigeria’s insecurity would have been significantly reduced.
A breakdown of the 2026 proposal shows that the Nigerian military and defence institutions are set to receive trillions of naira across various formations and agencies.
Under the proposal, the Nigerian Army is allocated N1,504,251,269,721, making it the single largest beneficiary of the defence budget.
The Nigerian Navy is expected to receive N443,916,709,861, while the Nigerian Air Force is allocated N409,147,040,110.
Other defence-related allocations bring the overall defence budget to N3,154,393,400,291.
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Key allocations include N112,433,299,986 for the Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army, N83,544,018,084 for Defence Missions, and N68,798,052,189 for the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
The Ministry of Defence Headquarters is allocated N41,235,706,852, while the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) will receive N40,405,039,267. The Defence Space Administration is allocated N40,021,798,778.
Other institutions benefiting from the budget include the Command and Staff College, Jaji, with N35,891,400,815, the National Defence College, which received N29,270,115,446, and the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, allocated N17,194,251,841.
Further allocations include N13,178,223,355 for the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Lagos, N10,972,116,049 for the Defence Space School, Orogun, Delta State, and N9,407,672,418 for the Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa, Delta State.
The Defence Research and Development Bureau received N9,345,102,331, while the National Hydrographic Agency was allocated N9,342,650,970.
Also included are N8,756,119,284 for the Air Power Centre of Excellence, N7,653,315,654 for the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and N4,520,126,459 for the Defence Intelligence School.
The Defence Intelligence Agency Civilian Pensions Board is allocated N1.4 billion, while the Military Pension Board received N1,394,438,561.
The unveiling of the budget has renewed debate on defence accountability, with many Nigerians calling for greater transparency and measurable outcomes in the fight against insecurity.
