The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Minister of Finance to ensure the full release of the 2024 capital allocation for the security and intelligence sector. The appeal highlights the critical role of adequate funding in bolstering national security.
The committee’s chairman, Hon. Ahmed Satomi (APC, Borno), raised concerns during a budget defense session for agencies under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Satomi noted that while the overall security sector received significant allocations in the proposed 2025 budget, the intelligence subsector remains underfunded, jeopardizing its capacity to address pressing national security challenges.
Satomi revealed that the intelligence sector was allocated N595 billion, with N274.5 billion for capital expenditure, N107.9 billion for overhead, and N212.5 billion for personnel costs. However, agencies like the National Centre for Counter-Terrorism and the National Institute for Security Studies have yet to receive capital releases for both 2023 and 2024, raising concerns about their operational effectiveness.
“It is imperative to note that the 2025 Budget is christened the ‘Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity.’ Securing peace presupposes that robust engagements, including deradicalization, disarmament, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs, must be prioritized,” Satomi stated.
He emphasized the importance of funding frontline agencies tasked with countering violent extremism, illicit arms flows, intelligence gathering, and national security coordination. Satomi specifically called on President Tinubu to not only increase allocations to intelligence agencies but also ensure prompt and full release of budgeted funds.
“The National Assembly is committed to enhancing national security and the well-being of citizens. The budget allocations must align with our national security objectives,” Satomi added.
During the session, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, Permanent Secretary of Special Services in ONSA, highlighted the proposed budget’s focus on addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. He outlined plans to improve coordination among security agencies, enhance intelligence gathering, and strengthen partnerships to build a cohesive security framework.
Danjuma acknowledged the constraints imposed by the envelope system of budgeting but assured the committee of the intelligence community’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective resource management.
Satomi assured that the committee would explore additional avenues to secure adequate funding for intelligence operations, emphasizing that Nigeria’s security requires a collective effort from all stakeholders.
As the 2025 budget moves toward approval, the call for increased funding and timely releases remains a priority to strengthen the nation’s security and intelligence infrastructure.
