The House of Representatives Committee on Defence has decided to increase the 2025 budget allocation for the Ministry of Defence to sustain progress in combating insecurity across the country. This resolution followed a motion by Philip Agbese, who commended the military’s efforts during a budget defense session with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
Matawalle highlighted that the N50 billion allocated for the ministry in the 2025 budget was insufficient and appealed for an increase. He assured that with adequate funding, the issue of banditry could be resolved within two months. Agbese supported the request, citing the military’s success in neutralizing bandits and addressing farmer-herder conflicts, particularly in Benue State. He urged the committee to provide additional resources to sustain these achievements.
The minister emphasized the challenges posed by inadequate funding, including unpaid group life insurance for military personnel, lack of equipment, and unrenovated barracks. He argued that such financial constraints limit the ministry’s ability to meet security demands despite rising expectations from the public. Matawalle appealed to the committee to allocate more funds to enhance operational capacity and address nationwide insecurity effectively.
Committee Chairman Babajimi Benson acknowledged the critical role of the defence sector in national security, noting the military’s dedication and progress in countering insurgency and banditry. He stressed the need for prudent and impactful utilization of increased resources to ensure the safety and stability of the nation.
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