Former Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, has called for dedicated budgetary allocations and bulk procurement of military equipment to strengthen the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in tackling insurgency, banditry and other security threats.
Lawan made the call on Monday in Abuja at the third edition of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) conference, themed, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security.”
He said the National Assembly had consistently approved funding requests submitted by the executive for the military and other security agencies but stressed the need for more predictable funding and sustained investment in operational equipment.
According to him, national security must remain a priority despite competing demands on public resources.
“For us in the National Assembly, it is our duty to support the arm of government, to ensure that whatever resources are available and are required, are requested by the arm of government, we support that and we even give more,” he said.
Lawan, who said he had spent more than 27 years in the National Assembly, maintained that lawmakers had consistently supported funding requests for the military and other security agencies.
He argued that improved government revenue should translate into increased investment in military hardware, including weapons and operational platforms.
“Let me at this point suggest that as we receive more and more revenues, better revenues than before, especially outside of the war, I think we need to have more platforms, more weapons, purchase in bulk.
“Maybe we need to dedicate a certain percentage of our resources to arm our armed forces and other security agencies to safeguard this country,” he said.
Lawan also proposed placing the budgets of the Armed Forces and other security agencies on first-line charge to address delays in the release of approved funds.
“I believe that this is one way of ensuring that our armed forces are better supported because you cannot send someone to go out and fight with little and, of course, expect much success.
“But I believe that we need to give you a lot more. That’s why the National Assembly is thinking that budgets for the armed forces and other security agencies should be on first-line charge because this will contain the problems that sometimes our armed forces face in terms of budget releases and other resources that must make them do better,” he said.
Such an arrangement, if adopted through the appropriate legal and budgetary processes, would be aimed at ensuring more predictable funding for security operations.
Beyond funding, Lawan urged journalists to report the activities of security agencies fairly, arguing that recurring incidents of banditry and other criminal activities should not overshadow the efforts of personnel working to protect communities.
He acknowledged that more needed to be done to tackle insecurity but maintained that the country had made progress in addressing security challenges.
“I believe that we have moved from where we were to a better situation now, but we can make this better, far more better. We will continue to fight the way we have been fighting insurgency and banditry and other criminal activities in the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said reporting on defence and security required courage, sound judgement and an understanding of the implications of covering military operations, security threats and the sacrifices of personnel.
Idris, who was represented at the conference by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, said effective security operations depended on reliable intelligence, modern technology, coordination among security agencies and cooperation with local communities.
He also stressed the need to address the conditions that enable criminal groups to recruit members, sustain their operations and threaten the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.
“We must also address the conditions that allow criminal groups to recruit, operate and threaten the lives and livelihoods of innocent people,” he said.
The minister said President Bola Tinubu’s administration had prioritised national security through efforts to modernise the Armed Forces, strengthen intelligence-led operations, improve surveillance and enhance coordination among security and intelligence agencies.
“His administration has continued to pursue the modernisation of the Armed Forces, intelligence-led operations, improved surveillance and stronger coordination among security and intelligence agencies,” he said.
Idris also disclosed that Tinubu had directed the preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan to improve coordination, establish operational priorities and guide resource allocation.
Announced in August 2026, the initiative is intended to provide a clearer assessment of the threats facing Nigeria and identify the capabilities, equipment and resources required to address them. The proposed plan is also expected to guide medium-term defence operations and expenditure.
The minister further said the President had approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Armed Forces personnel, effective September 1, 2026, as part of efforts to improve their welfare.
“This recognises that those who put their lives on the line to protect the country must receive appropriate support,” Idris said.
He said the success of the government’s security initiatives should ultimately be measured by improvements in public safety, including safer communities and roads, better protection for farmers and businesses, and an environment where children could attend school without fear.
“These efforts must continue to produce results that Nigerians can feel: safer communities, more secure roads, protection for farmers and businesses, and the freedom for children to attend school without fear,” he added.
The conference examined how technology, intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations could complement conventional military action in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
Discussions also focused on the need for adequate and predictable funding, modern equipment, intelligence sharing and community cooperation to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
The challenge, however, remains translating government funding commitments and policy initiatives into improved operational capacity and measurable gains in public safety