Nigeria’s security worsens despite N3.2tn spent in the last year by Tinubu administration

Under President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian government has spent N3.2 trillion on security in one year, yet kidnappings and killings persist. In the third quarter of 2023, security funding totaled N657 billion, with N412 billion for the Defence Ministry, N150 billion for the Police Affairs Ministry, N31 billion for the National Security Adviser, and N64 billion for the Interior Ministry. The fourth quarter saw a total of N1 trillion allocated, with significant amounts to the Defence Ministry, Police Affairs, and other security agencies.

For the first half of 2024, the government allocated N1.6 trillion, with N1.032 trillion for the Defence Ministry, N424 billion for the Police Affairs Ministry, and N223 billion for the National Security Adviser. Between the third quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2024, the total expenditure on security was N3.2 trillion.

States have also invested in security, with Southwestern states creating their own outfits like “Amotekun.” Despite spending N3.6 billion on Amotekun in Ondo State and other state-level investments, insecurity remains widespread. Similarly, Katsina and Kaduna states have allocated substantial funds to their internal security ministries, yet challenges persist.