Budget Defense: Joint Committees Reject Nigerian Air Force 2026 Budget Proposal By Saheed Badmus
Budget Defense: Joint Committees Reject Nigerian Air Force 2026 Budget Proposal
By Saheed Badmus
The Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on Air Force have unanimously rejected the 2026 budget proposal presented by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), describing it as inadequate to address the country’s current security challenges.
The decision was taken during a joint budget defence session on the 2025 budget performance and the 2026 budget proposals of the Nigerian Air Force.
While speaking at the session, the Chairmen of the Committees, Senator Osita Ngwu and Rt. Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, stated that the proposed budget falls short of the financial requirements needed to sustain the operational capacity and firepower of the Air Force in combating insurgency, banditry and other security threats across the country.
According to them, the present allocation is insufficient to enable the Air Force to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security.
As a result, the Joint Committees resolved to constitute a six-member technical committee to engage with the Federal Government, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the leadership of the National Assembly to work out a more realistic and sustainable funding framework for the Nigerian Air Force.
The committee is expected to review the current proposal and facilitate the re-presentation of an improved budget for consideration and approval by the Joint Committees.
Rt. Hon. Rurum, while addressing journalists after the session, said:
“We had a joint committee session with the leadership of the Nigerian Air Force on the 2025 budget performance and 2026 budget proposals. After extensive deliberations, we unanimously rejected the budget as presented by the Executive.
“The Air Force requires substantial funding to prepare adequately against insurgency, banditry, and other forms of criminality. We have therefore resolved to set up a six-member committee to liaise with the chairmen of both committees and the Director-General of the Budget Office to ensure that adequate funds are provided for the Air Force to function effectively.”
Earlier, the Nigerian Air Force had appealed to lawmakers to approve increased allocations across key expenditure areas in the 2026 fiscal year.
For personnel emoluments, the NAF requested ₦300,848,427,034.00, as against the ₦229,897,541,932.00 proposed in the draft budget.
In the area of overhead costs, the Air Force sought ₦138,675,013,403.00, compared to the ₦66,575,453,013.00 earlier allocated.
Similarly, for capital expenditure, the NAF appealed for ₦230,674,045,185.00, as against the ₦110,674,045,185.00 contained in the proposed budget.
The Air Force leadership explained that the additional funding was necessary to enhance operational readiness, maintain critical infrastructure, procure modern equipment and strengthen personnel welfare in line with evolving security demands.
The Joint Committees reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the Nigerian Air Force is adequately funded to effectively protect the nation and respond decisively to emerging security threats.
