How Nigerian States Budgeted On Paper To Tackle Insecurity, Failed To Fund Security Outfits, Purchase Equipment

However, a SaharaReporters' analysis of their budget implementation reports reveals that most of the commitments remained largely on paper, with only a fraction of the approved capital allocations eventually released and spent.

As insecurity continued to threaten lives and livelihoods across many parts of Nigeria in 2025, several state governments made ambitious budgetary provisions to strengthen security agencies, procure operational equipment and improve internal security architecture.

However, a SaharaReporters' analysis of their budget implementation reports reveals that most of the commitments remained largely on paper, with only a fraction of the approved capital allocations eventually released and spent.

An examination of budget performance data from 10 sampled states shows they collectively appropriated about ₦30.4 billion for security-related capital expenditure during the 2025 fiscal year. By the end of the year, however, only about ₦4.26 billion had been released and spent, leaving approximately ₦26.14 billion unutilised.

Overall, the states implemented only about 14 per cent of their combined security capital budgets, meaning roughly 86 per cent of funds earmarked for security infrastructure, operational vehicles, equipment procurement and state security outfits were never translated into actual capital projects.