By Taiwo Scholarstica
The Nigerian Senate has approved a total of ₦404.07 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.
The approval follows the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs by its Acting Chairman, Yunus Akintunde, who stood in for the committee chairman, Abdulhamid Ahmed Mallam-Madori.
This is as the upper legislative house also approved the Fund’s 2025 budget of ₦170.10 billion and its 2026 budget of ₦233.96 billion to strengthen policing, improve security operations, and enhance critical infrastructure across the country.
While presenting the report on the 2025 budget proposal, Akintunde explained that the appropriation was being reconsidered because the implementation of the previously approved budget had been delayed by legal issues linked to the proposed amendment of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act.
“This budget proposal under consideration was previously approved for implementation under the 2024 fiscal period. However, owing to developments arising from the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2019, and other circumstances beyond the control of the Fund, implementation of the approved budget could not commence. Consequently, the budget is being re-presented as the 2025 budget proposal for legislative consideration and approval,” he said.
Following the presentation, the committee recommended the approval of ₦170.10 billion for the 2025 fiscal year. The recommendation received broad support from lawmakers and was adopted by the Senate.
During deliberations, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi described the Police Trust Fund as an important intervention designed to bridge the funding gap within the Nigeria Police Force.
He noted that legal challenges had prevented the agency from accessing and spending appropriated funds for nearly three years.
“The Trust Fund is supposed to fill the funding gap, but for almost three years, because of legal issues, the Trust Fund has not been able to spend a kobo. We encourage the Fund to ensure that every kobo appropriated is properly utilized, and the National Assembly will track its implementation,” Ningi said.
The upper chamber later considered and approved the Fund’s 2026 budget proposal of ₦233.96 billion, presented by Mallam-Madori, with over 90 percent of the allocation earmarked for capital expenditure.
Reacting to the spending pattern, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno praised the budget, saying its strong focus on capital projects should serve as an example for other government agencies.
“I am highly impressed by the fact that more than 90 percent of the budget is devoted to capital expenditure, while the rest goes to recurrent expenditure. Other MDAs should take a cue from this because capital spending has greater potential to positively impact the operations of agencies,” Monguno said.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, commended the committee for its work and expressed optimism that the approved funds would strengthen the police in addressing the country’s security challenges.
“Your report is well put together and well articulated. The overwhelming support it received speaks for itself. We hope that this sum of money approved today will be utilized in a manner that will add more impetus to the Nigeria Police Force in fighting crime and addressing insecurity, especially kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism,” Barau said.
The Nigeria Police Trust Fund was established to provide additional financial support to the Nigeria Police Force through investments in training, equipment procurement, operational logistics, infrastructure, and other capacity-building programs.