The Federal Government has reportedly earmarked about N500 billion from May 2026 federation revenue for a national security emergency intervention fund, a move coming amid renewed efforts to strengthen military, intelligence and policing operations across Nigeria.
Sources familiar with proceedings of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disclosed that the deduction was made before revenue was shared among the Federal Government, states and local government councils.
The development emerged as FAAC distributed N2.300 trillion from May 2026 revenue to the three tiers of government, with the Federal Government receiving N818.68 billion, states N759.14 billion and local government councils N534.28 billion.
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Officials familiar with the allocation process said commissioners of finance from the 36 states were aware of the security-related deduction, which reportedly formed part of broader adjustments made before revenue distribution.
Documents from the May FAAC proceedings indicated that N250 billion was allocated to a Military Intervention Fund, while another N252 billion was reserved for infrastructure development support to states. An additional N450 billion was reportedly transferred to the Non-Oil Excess Revenue Account.
The move comes as security concerns continue to dominate national discourse, with Nigeria battling insurgency in the North-East, banditry and mass kidnappings in the North-West, violent communal conflicts in parts of the North-Central, separatist tensions in the South-East and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has repeatedly identified security as a critical pillar of economic recovery and investment growth, approving increased defence spending, military acquisitions and intelligence-led operations since taking office in May 2023.
Economic experts welcomed the proposed intervention fund but stressed the importance of transparency and measurable outcomes.
Chief Executive Officer of Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba, said additional funding for security would likely receive public support because of the obvious gaps in troop deployment, equipment acquisition, intelligence gathering and personnel welfare.
According to him, the country requires more resources for modern surveillance systems, forest guard recruitment and the expansion of police and military manpower.
Teriba argued that Nigerians would expect clear accountability mechanisms to ensure the funds translate into improved security outcomes rather than becoming another opaque spending programme.
Professor Akpan Ekpo of the University of Uyo also described security as indispensable to economic growth, noting that investments cannot thrive in an environment plagued by insecurity.
He, however, questioned the effectiveness of previous security allocations, warning that public confidence would depend largely on prudent management of the proposed fund.
The debate over security financing also extended to the National Assembly, where the Department of State Services urged lawmakers to remove provisions allowing foreign organisations to contribute to a proposed DSS Trust Fund.
Represented by Emmanuel Duabry during a public hearing organised by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, the DSS warned that foreign donations could expose sensitive intelligence operations to external influence and compromise operational independence.
The agency argued that international funding arrangements may introduce reporting obligations capable of exposing intelligence methods, procurement activities and deployment strategies.
While supporting the establishment of a dedicated Trust Fund, the DSS recommended that funding should come strictly from domestic sources and proposed a more predictable statutory funding formula to support long-term security planning.
In another security-related development, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed that Deputy Inspectors-General of Police recently assigned to the six geopolitical zones have resumed duties in their respective areas as part of efforts to decentralise command structures and improve responses to emerging threats nationwide.
The combined measures reflect growing pressure on government institutions to deliver more effective security outcomes as attacks, kidnappings and organised criminal activities continue to challenge Nigeria’s security architecture.
