The Federal Government of Nigeria has proposed a substantial allocation of over N13.12 billion for the procurement of arms, ammunition, and related security equipment across key security agencies in the 2026 appropriation bill. The budget documents, recently released, indicate a total of N13,124,747,575 earmarked to enhance the operational capacity of the nation’s security forces, reflecting the government’s continued commitment to addressing rising security challenges nationwide. Analysts, however, have noted that this figure represents a cautious approach compared to previous years, highlighting the delicate balance between fiscal prudence and urgent security needs.
Within the proposed allocation, the Ministry of Defence is slated to receive N688.8 million specifically for the purchase of arms and ammunition for the Armed Forces. The funding is intended to support both routine and strategic equipment acquisitions, ensuring that the Army, Navy, and other branches of the military maintain operational readiness. While the amount reflects a modest increase from prior allocations, experts have cautioned that it may not be sufficient to fully address the growing complexity of security threats, including insurgency, banditry, and maritime insecurity.
The Defence Headquarters has been allocated N1.46 billion for similar procurements, including arms, ammunition, and protective equipment. This funding aims to bolster command-level operational capabilities and provide critical support to field units engaged in ongoing counterterrorism and peacekeeping operations. By centralizing a portion of the budget at the Defence Headquarters, the government seeks to streamline procurement processes and ensure more efficient distribution of critical military resources across all theatres of operation.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) accounts for the largest share of the allocation, with a significant N6.13 billion designated for various aircraft platforms, arms, and ammunition. This allocation underscores the government’s prioritization of aerial defense and rapid response capabilities, particularly in regions plagued by insurgency and cross-border threats. Of this sum, N1.79 billion is earmarked for the procurement of 2,000 AR-M5T assault rifles, a move aimed at enhancing both pilot security and ground-based operational readiness for air force personnel.
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has also been allocated a substantial sum of N702.7 million, intended for the acquisition of arms, ammunition, webbing, and ballistic protection equipment. This funding is part of a broader effort to strengthen border security and facilitate more effective management of the nation’s immigration infrastructure. Immigration officers, often stationed in high-risk areas, will benefit from updated protective gear and weapons to respond to threats, including human trafficking, smuggling, and border incursions.
Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is slated to receive N1.03 billion for arms, ammunition, and protective equipment. This allocation reflects the government’s recognition of the increasing demands placed on law enforcement officers, particularly in urban centers facing heightened criminal activity and civil unrest. Analysts have emphasized that while the funding will support operational readiness, long-term police reform and capacity building remain critical to sustainable improvements in national security.
The Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency, is expected to spend N1 billion on arms and ammunition under the 2026 budget. The funding aims to equip operatives with the necessary tools for intelligence gathering, counter-espionage, and protection of high-profile individuals and critical infrastructure. With evolving threats from organized crime and terrorism, the DSS’s enhanced capability is seen as a crucial element of Nigeria’s broader national security architecture.
Other beneficiaries of the arms and equipment allocation include the National Park Headquarters, which is to procure 100 firearms and ammunition with an allocation of N68.8 million. This move is intended to strengthen the capacity of park rangers to combat poaching and other illegal activities within Nigeria’s protected areas, while also safeguarding biodiversity and ecotourism assets. Similarly, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) will deploy N253.5 million for the acquisition of automatic rifles and magazines to support cadet training, ensuring that new recruits are adequately prepared for active service.
The 2026 allocations follow a sharp decline in Nigeria’s spending on arms and ammunition in 2025. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the country’s arms and ammunition imports dropped to about N49 billion in 2025, a significant reduction from N520 billion recorded in 2024. Analysts have attributed the decline to a combination of fiscal constraints, global supply chain disruptions, and a cautious approach to foreign procurement amid fluctuating exchange rates.
The NBS foreign trade reports provide a detailed breakdown of the 2025 spending patterns, showing that arms imports stood at N22.08 billion in the first quarter, declined sharply to N4.87 billion in the second quarter, and subsequently rose to N23.49 billion in the third quarter. These fluctuations reflect both the irregularity of procurement cycles and the challenges of aligning budgeted allocations with actual disbursements, particularly in the context of security agencies with diverse operational needs.
The compilation of these figures drew on multiple sources, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, oil and gas firms, private sector operators, as well as aviation and port authorities. This cross-sectoral analysis underscores the complexity of tracking arms and ammunition spending in a country where procurement and importation are influenced by a wide array of stakeholders and logistical considerations.
Security analysts have warned that unless further procurements are approved in 2026, Nigeria’s arms acquisition spending could decline even further despite mounting security challenges across the country. The ongoing threats from Boko Haram in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and militancy in the Niger Delta highlight the urgency of sustained investment in both offensive and defensive capabilities. Failure to do so, experts argue, may leave security agencies under-equipped and ill-prepared to respond effectively.