Impact of Defence Spending on National Security in Nigeria: Areas for Legislative Intervention

Abstract

Nigeria continues to battle diverse and high-level security challenges, including Boko Haram insurgency, kidnappings and crude oil theft; it has seen the emergence of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), farmer-herder clashes, banditry, separatist activities, the recent activities of the lakurawa, the mahmuda, and other violent attacks. The Nigerian government, understanding the importance of defence and security in the country and in a bid to tackle insecurity to protect the lives and properties of citizens, has over the years increased the budgetary allocation for defence and security. About ₦3.1 trillion was allocated to the Ministry of Defence in the 2025 budget. Despite the rise in budgetary allocation for defence, security has not improved as citizens die daily in the hands of bandits, terrorists, separatists and other criminals. The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) (2024) survey has ranked Nigeria 147th on the Global Peace Index (GPI), indicating a troubling state of peace within the nation. Additionally, the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report revealed that Nigeria is ranked sixth in the world among terrorised countries, with a score of 7.658. Consequently, the brief examines the increased budgetary allocation to defence and the state of insecurity in Nigeria, finding a nexus between defence spending on national security and Nigeria's performance in the global terrorism index. Addressing the challenges of insecurity and ensuring effective utilization of defence spending, the brief hereby proffered the following recommendations:

i.Senate and House Committee on Defence, through its legislative oversight, may wish to engage with relevant stakeholders, including the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Defence, on the need to address the challenges of defence expenditure utilisation in Nigeria, looking at the security outcome and persistent threats in Nigeria;

ii.The Senate and House Committee on Defence and the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, may wish to strengthen oversight and ensure that defence spending and funds released are adequately and effectively utilised transparently. This can be achieved by implementing strict anti-corruption measures and ensuring accountability in the procurement and deployment of defence resources.