NEWS
2026 Budget Breakdown Shows Ministry of Defence Secures Over ₦3.15 Trillion as Nigeria Ramps Up Military Spending Ahead of Security Challenges
The Ministry of Defence has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of Nigeria’s 2026 federal budget, with a total allocation of ₦3.154 trillion, according to detailed figures obtained from the Budget Office of the Federation. The massive funding underscores the Federal Government’s renewed focus on national security, military welfare, intelligence gathering, training, and defence infrastructure amid persistent internal and regional security threats.
A breakdown of the allocation shows that ₦2.39 trillion is dedicated to personnel costs, reflecting the government’s commitment to salaries, allowances, pensions, and welfare of officers and men of the Armed Forces. Overhead costs account for ₦297.03 billion, while ₦464.47 billion is earmarked for capital expenditure, covering equipment procurement, infrastructure development, research, and strategic expansion across defence institutions.
The Nigerian Army dominates the defence budget, receiving a total allocation of ₦1.504 trillion, by far the largest among the service arms. Personnel costs alone gulp ₦1.254 trillion, while ₦81.9 billion is set aside for overheads and ₦167.76 billion for capital projects. The allocation highlights the central role of the Army in counterinsurgency operations, internal security, and nationwide deployment.
The Nigerian Navy is allocated ₦443.91 billion, with ₦322.9 billion going to personnel, ₦49.23 billion for overheads, and ₦71.77 billion for capital expenditure. This funding is expected to strengthen maritime security, anti-piracy operations, and the protection of Nigeria’s coastal and offshore assets.
Similarly, the Nigerian Air Force receives ₦409.14 billion, broken down into ₦229.89 billion for personnel, ₦68.57 billion for overheads, and ₦110.67 billion for capital projects. The allocation reflects the increasing reliance on air power for surveillance, rapid response, and precision operations across troubled regions.
The core Defence allocation, covering central defence functions, stands at ₦257.01 billion. This includes ₦224.66 billion for personnel, ₦7.78 billion for overheads, and ₦24.57 billion for capital spending.
The Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army receives ₦112.43 billion, emphasizing the importance of doctrine development, training, and operational preparedness. Defence Missions abroad are allocated ₦83.54 billion, underscoring Nigeria’s continued diplomatic and military engagement internationally.
The Defence Intelligence Agency is allocated ₦68.79 billion, while the Defence Intelligence School and the DIA Civilian Pensions Board receive ₦4.52 billion and ₦1.4 billion respectively, reflecting investments in intelligence capacity and personnel welfare.
In a sign of Nigeria’s growing interest in space and advanced warfare capabilities, the Defence Space Administration receives ₦40.02 billion, while the Defence Space School in Orogun, Delta State, is allocated ₦10.97 billion.
Research and innovation are also prioritised, with the Defence Research and Development Bureau receiving ₦9.34 billion and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) allocated ₦7.65 billion to boost local defence production and reduce reliance on foreign arms imports.
Key military institutions receive notable funding, including the Nigerian Defence Academy with ₦40.4 billion, the Command and Staff College, Jaji with ₦35.89 billion, and the National Defence College with ₦29.27 billion. Other beneficiaries include the Air Force Institute of Technology, the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre in Lagos, the Admiralty University of Nigeria in Ibusa, and the Air Power Centre of Excellence.
Although personnel costs are nil for some agencies, pension and administrative responsibilities are funded. The Military Pension Board receives ₦1.39 billion, while overhead and capital allocations cover the operational needs of pension-related institutions.
With a grand total of ₦3.154 trillion, the 2026 Ministry of Defence budget signals a deliberate strategy by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s military capacity, enhance intelligence and space capabilities, invest in training and research, and improve welfare for serving and retired personnel.
As security challenges persist across various regions, the scale and structure of this allocation underline defence as a central pillar of the 2026 fiscal plan.