Lawan Urges Bulk Arms Procurement, First-Line Funding for Military

Senate Defence Committee Chairman calls for increased military resources as Defence Minister advocates intelligence-led, technology-driven operations against terrorism.

ABUJA — Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, has called on the Federal Government to increase military funding and adopt bulk procurement of arms and ammunition to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against insurgency and terrorism.

Lawan made the appeal at the 2026 annual conference and awards ceremony of the Defence Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DECAN), where he stressed the need to provide the Armed Forces and other security agencies with adequate resources to protect the country’s territorial integrity.

The former Senate President also proposed dedicating a percentage of government revenue to defence and national security, arguing that sustained funding would improve the military’s operational capacity.

According to him, bulk purchases could help ensure that security agencies receive the equipment and resources required to perform their duties effectively.

Lawan further disclosed that the National Assembly was considering placing the budgets of the Armed Forces and other security agencies on a first-line charge to address challenges associated with delayed budget releases and inadequate funding.

He commended military personnel and other security operatives for their continued efforts against security threats but maintained that additional support was necessary to strengthen their performance.

Defence Minister Advocates Intelligence-Led Operations

Meanwhile, Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has called for greater reliance on intelligence, technology and coordinated security operations to tackle Nigeria’s increasingly complex security challenges.

Musa, represented at the conference by his Special Adviser on Foreign Relations, retired Air Commodore Adewale Ogunmodede, said terrorist groups and criminal networks were exploiting technology, financial systems and gaps in coordination to advance their activities.

He emphasised that security agencies must combine effective combat operations with timely intelligence, strategic planning and cooperation among relevant institutions.

According to the minister, identifying threats early, understanding criminal networks and anticipating their activities are essential to preventing attacks and improving national security.

Technology Key to National Security

Musa also highlighted the importance of technology in strengthening surveillance, reconnaissance, communication and intelligence analysis.

However, he cautioned that technological investments must be supported by trained personnel, reliable systems, effective operational procedures and sound professional judgement.

He stressed that technology should enhance, rather than replace, human expertise and discipline within the military.

The conference was held under the theme, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security.”

The discussions centred on the need to strengthen military capacity through sustainable funding, modern technology, intelligence gathering and improved coordination among security institutions.

Lawan’s proposal for bulk procurement and more predictable defence funding, alongside the minister’s call for intelligence-driven operations, highlights two key priorities in the ongoing debate over how Nigeria can improve its response to insurgency, terrorism and other security threats.