By Ahmed Akanbi
The Senate has approved a total of N404.07 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, NPTF, endorsing N170.10 billion for 2025 and N233.96 billion for 2026 to strengthen policing, security operations, and infrastructure nationwide.
The approval followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs by Acting Chairman, Senator Yunus Akintunde, (APC Oyo Central), on behalf of the Committee Chairman, Senator Abdulhamid Ahmed Mallam-Madori, (APC Jigawa East).
Presenting the report, Akintunde explained that the 2025 budget was being reconsidered because implementation of the previously approved budget could not commence due to legal issues surrounding the amendment of 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 of the Nigerian 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 N170.10 billion for the 2025 fiscal year. The recommendation received overwhelming support and was adopted by the Senate.
Supporting the report, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, (NDC Bauchi Central), said the Police Trust Fund plays a critical role in addressing funding gaps within the Nigeria Police Force. He noted that legal disputes had prevented the Fund from spending appropriated resources for nearly three years.
“The Trust Fund is supposed to fill the funding gap, but for almost three years running, 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 utilized, and the National Assembly will track its implementation,” Ningi said.
The Senate thereafter considered and approved the 2026 budget proposal of N233.96 billion presented by Senator Mallam-Madori, with over 90 percent of the allocation earmarked for capital expenditure.
Commending the budget structure, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno, (APC Borno North), described the allocation as a model for other government agencies.
“I am highly impressed by the fact that more than 90 percent 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.
Announcing the approval, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, praised the committee for its detailed work and expressed optimism that the funds would improve national security.
“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 utilized in a manner that will add more impetus to the Nigerian Police Force in fighting crime and addressing insecurity, especially kidnapping, banditry and terrorism,” Barau said.
The approvals are expected to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force through improved funding for equipment, logistics, infrastructure, and other critical security interventions under the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.
