The Federal Government has disbursed N5.15tn in special intervention funds to the Nigerian military and related security agencies between November 2023 and September 2026, as the country continues to battle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges.
An analysis of documents from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) showed that the government received N5.65tn into a dedicated special intervention account during the period, with N5.15tn disbursed, representing 91.15 per cent of the total funds.
The intervention programme was funded through allocations from the Federation Account, non-oil revenue and transfers from a FAAC withholding account.
According to a ledger prepared by the Federation Account Department of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the funds were released through 30 payment transactions between November 8, 2023, and September 23, 2026.
The disbursements were separate from regular annual budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Defence and other security institutions. However, the records did not provide a detailed breakdown of the specific military operations, equipment purchases, personnel expenses or security projects financed with the money.
Funding Increased Significantly in 2026
The special intervention programme began with a N100bn transfer in October 2023, followed by the first payment of N100bn to the military on November 8, 2023.
By the end of December 2023, the account had received and disbursed N300bn.
The funding arrangement continued throughout 2024, with regular monthly transfers of N100bn. Between January and December 2024, the account received N1.2tn and disbursed the same amount, bringing cumulative receipts and payments to N1.5tn.
The government maintained the N100bn monthly funding pattern during the first nine months of 2025. By September 2025, cumulative disbursements had reached N2.4tn.
However, the funding pattern changed significantly in 2026, with individual transfers increasing to between N200bn and N500bn.
On March 18, 2026, the government transferred N200bn from the FAAC Withheld Account. The ledger also recorded a N100bn payment to security agencies on March 16.
In May, N250bn was transferred from non-oil revenue, while N130bn was paid to security agencies from the FAAC Withheld Account.
On June 16, the government recorded a N400bn transfer from non-oil revenue, which was reversed on the same day and replaced with a fresh N500bn transfer. A corresponding N500bn payment to military and paramilitary agencies was also recorded that day.
The pattern continued in July, August and September, with N500bn transfers recorded in each month and corresponding payments subsequently made to military and paramilitary agencies.
The ledger further recorded another N500bn transfer from non-oil revenue on October 14, 2026, described as the September allocation.
N500bn Remains Undisbursed
The records showed that the intervention account received N3.25tn in 2026 up to October 14, compared with N1.2tn throughout 2024.
This represented an increase of approximately 170.8 per cent in receipts, despite the 2026 figures covering only part of the year.
Payments recorded in 2026 amounted to N2.75tn, representing an increase of approximately 129.2 per cent compared with the N1.2tn disbursed in 2024.
The N2.75tn released in 2026 accounted for 53.4 per cent of the total N5.15tn disbursed under the programme since its commencement.
The amount disbursed in 2026 also exceeded the combined N2.4tn released between November 2023 and September 2025.
As of October 14, 2026, the intervention account had an outstanding balance of N500bn, representing 8.85 per cent of the total N5.65tn received. The balance followed the latest N500bn transfer, which had no corresponding payment in the ledger.
The outstanding amount therefore represented funds remaining in the intervention account rather than money already disbursed to security agencies.
Insecurity Persists Despite Increased Spending
Despite the substantial financial resources committed to military operations, Nigeria continues to face security challenges in several regions.
In the North-East, the military continues to conduct operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, while banditry and mass kidnappings remain major concerns in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions.
Communities across several states have also suffered attacks by armed groups, resulting in deaths, displacement and disruptions to farming and other economic activities.
The persistent security challenges have placed additional pressure on government finances, with substantial resources being channelled towards military operations, intelligence gathering, logistics and the protection of vulnerable communities.
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