The Senate has called for the full and timely implementation of Nigeria’s defence budget, warning that delays could undermine ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, made the call on Wednesday during a budget defence session at which the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, presented the ministry’s 2025 performance review and proposed 2026 budget.

Lawan expressed concern over what he described as the slow pace of implementing the 2025 defence budget, parts of which have been rolled over into the 2026 fiscal year.

“The exercise of implementation has been slow. How are we prepared to move forward if we are unable to implement the 2025 budget fully? How do we deal with 2026?” he asked.

He stressed that defence spending should not be delayed, noting that postponements could give criminal groups and insurgents an advantage.

“It is defence; you cannot postpone the implementation of the defence budget because that gives an edge to the enemy. We have to insist that our armed forces and other security agencies have their budgets implemented to secure the lives of Nigerians,” Lawan said.

Describing the session as part of the Senate’s oversight responsibility, he said lawmakers were reviewing the 2025 budget performance to ensure accountability, transparency and improved outcomes.

In his presentation, General Musa acknowledged the persistent security challenges facing the country but assured lawmakers that the ministry was working to improve results. He said progress recorded so far had been supported by the cooperation of the National Assembly.