N’Assembly Endorses N1.504trn Army Budget, Pledges Timely Fund Disbursement

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The Joint Committee of the National Assembly on the Army, yesterday, approved the proposed N1,504,251,069,722 budget for the Nigerian Army for the 2026 fiscal year.

The lawmakers also reassured the military leadership that they would work to ensure that all funds approved in the appropriation were released promptly to support implementation of the budget.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, disclosed this in Abuja after the joint budget defence session held with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.

According to him, the Senate and House Committees on Army met jointly to review the 2026 estimates, and after listening to the presentation by the Chief of Army Staff, members of both chambers expressed satisfaction with the proposal.

He, however, noted that members of the committee unanimously identified delays in the release of funds as a persistent challenge, stressing that the problem affected not only the Army but also other Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Despite this concern, he assured the Army leadership of the committee’s commitment to working closely with it to achieve success, emphasising that the institution remained vital to national stability and would receive the necessary legislative backing.

In his remarks, Chairman of the House Committee on Army, Hon. Aminu Balele, praised the Chief of Army Staff alongside officers and soldiers for what he described as their patriotism and dedication to combating insurgency and safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

He further pledged that the House committee would continue advocating the timely release of funds to enable the Army fulfil its constitutional duties effectively.

Balele also affirmed that the committee would carry out its oversight responsibilities with diligence and a strong sense of accountability.

He expressed appreciation to his Senate counterpart, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, and other lawmakers for their cooperation in handling what he described as an important national responsibility, while again commending the Chief of Army Staff and his team for their service.