The Senate on Thursday approved a combined N404.07bn for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, endorsing the Fund’s 2025 budget of N170.10bn and 2026 budget of N233.96bn to strengthen policing, security operations and critical infrastructure nationwide.
The approvals followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs by its Acting Chairman, Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), on behalf of the committee chairman, Senator Abdulhamid Ahmed Mallam-Madori (Jigawa East).
Presenting the report on the 2025 budget proposal, Akintunde explained that the appropriation was being reconsidered because implementation of the previously approved budget had been stalled by legal issues arising from the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act.
“This budget proposal under consideration was previously approved for implementation under the 2024 fiscal period. However, owing to developments arising from the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2019, and other circumstances beyond the control of the Fund, implementation of the approved budget could not commence.
“Consequently, the budget is being represented as the 2025 budget proposal for legislative consideration and approval,” he said.
The committee recommended the approval of N170.10bn for the 2025 fiscal year, a recommendation that received overwhelming support from senators before it was adopted by the chamber.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi (Bauchi Central) described the Police Trust Fund as a critical intervention mechanism for bridging the funding gap in the Nigeria Police Force, lamenting that legal disputes had prevented the agency from utilising appropriated funds for almost three years.
“The Trust Fund is supposed to fill the funding gap, but for almost three years, because of legal issues, the Trust Fund has not been able to spend a kobo. We encourage the Fund to ensure that every kobo appropriated is properly utilised, and the National Assembly will track its implementation,” Ningi said.
The Senate subsequently considered and approved the Fund’s 2026 budget proposal of N233.96bn, presented by Mallam-Madori, with more than 90 per cent of the allocation dedicated to capital expenditure.
Commending the spending structure, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) said the budget should serve as a model for other government agencies because of its strong emphasis on capital projects.
“I am highly impressed by the fact that more than 90 per cent of the budget is devoted to capital expenditure, while the rest goes to recurrent expenditure. Other MDAs should take a cue from this because capital spending has greater potential to positively impact the operations of agencies,” Monguno said.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, commended the committee for its work and expressed confidence that the approved funds would strengthen the police in tackling the country’s security challenges.
“Your report is well put together and well articulated. The overwhelming support it received speaks for itself. We hope that this sum of money approved today will be utilised in a manner that will add more impetus to the Nigeria Police Force in fighting crime and addressing insecurity, especially kidnapping, banditry and terrorism,” Barau said.
The Nigeria Police Trust Fund was established to provide additional funding for the Nigeria Police Force through dedicated interventions in training, equipment procurement, operational logistics, infrastructure and other capacity-building initiatives.
The Senate’s approval is expected to enhance the operational capability of the police as the country continues to confront kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other security threats.