The National Assembly has officially endorsed a budget of ₦1,504,251,069,722 for the Nigerian Army for the 2026 fiscal year. This approval followed a comprehensive joint budget defense session held on Monday, February 16, 2026, involving the Senate and House Committees on the Army.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, presented the detailed proposal, which aims to strengthen national security and sustain aggressive operations against insurgency, banditry, and other violent crimes across the Federation.
“The Army is critical to our existence as a nation,” Senator Yar’Adua stated. “Following this presentation, we are committed to collaborating with the Chief of Army Staff to provide everything necessary for the success of our troops.”
“We are acutely aware of the challenges posed by delayed funding,” Hon. Balele noted. “We are ready to push for the prompt release of these resources so that the Army can deliver on its security mandates without administrative hindrance.”
The ₦1.504 trillion allocation is a cornerstone of the broader 2026 Defence budget. It is designed to prioritize:
- Troop Welfare and Personnel Costs: Ensuring the sustained morale of soldiers on the front lines.
- Counter-Insurgency Operations: Bolstering efforts against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and regional banditry.
- Modernization: Investment in critical equipment, intelligence gathering, and logistics.
This budgetary approval serves as a strong signal of the Federal Government’s continued prioritization of national stability and its confidence in the current leadership of the Nigerian Army.
