The Minister of State for Defence, Muhammad Matawalle, has urged the House of Representatives Committee on Defence to approve an additional ₦20 billion for the payment of families of deceased military personnel. Matawalle made the appeal during the 2025 budget defence session held in Abuja, where he represented the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru.
Highlighting the critical need for improved welfare for military personnel, Matawalle cited the accumulation of unpaid group life insurance benefits as a pressing issue.
“We are facing non-payment and accumulated bills for group life insurance for military personnel, and this is crucial. I urge the committee to consider allocating an additional ₦20 billion to address this need,” Matawalle said.
Inadequate Funding for Military Infrastructure and Equipment
The Minister expressed concern over insufficient funding for military barracks and equipment. He noted that allocations for barracks in the 2024 budget were nonexistent, making it challenging to provide adequate living conditions for military personnel.
“How do we expect the military to perform when their living standards are inadequate? Barracks across all zones received zero allocation in 2024, and this situation must change,” he lamented.
Matawalle also stressed the urgent need for additional equipment to combat insecurity, particularly in regions plagued by banditry. “In Katsina alone, we need at least 50 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to effectively flush out criminals. Yet, the Ministry could only procure 20 APCs last year due to budget constraints,” he explained.
Call for Increased Defence Budget
The Minister decried the current ₦50 billion budget allocation for the Ministry of Defence for 2025, describing it as grossly inadequate. He urged the National Assembly to consider increased funding to enable the Ministry to meet its obligations, including the provision of military entitlements and operational resources.
“People assume the Ministry of Defence receives a significant portion of the national budget, but that is not the case. We are struggling to meet even basic obligations. I had to write to Mr. President this month to pay the presidential guard,” Matawalle revealed.
Despite the challenges, he assured the Committee of the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring national security, emphasizing the dedication of military personnel under constrained resources.
Legislative Commitment to Defence Sector
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s defence sector through effective resource allocation.
Hon. Benson praised the Armed Forces for their professionalism in addressing security challenges such as insurgency, terrorism, and banditry. However, he stressed the need for continuous innovation to address evolving threats.
“The dynamic nature of global and domestic security challenges necessitates strategic adaptation and enhanced operational efficiency,” Benson stated.
He emphasized fiscal transparency and accountability in the utilization of defence funds, noting, “Every naira must be judiciously spent to strengthen the operational capacity of the Armed Forces and deliver tangible results.”
Session to Continue
The budget defence session, which Benson described as a reaffirmation of collective responsibility to the Nigerian people, will continue on January 16, 2025. Further deliberations with defence agencies and stakeholders are expected to address delays in project implementation, resource management, and capacity-building initiatives.
The National Assembly remains committed to supporting the Armed Forces in ensuring a secure and prosperous Nigeria.
