Defence minister defends ₦5.41tn budget, says ‘warfare is expensive’

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retired), defended the ₦5.41 trillion allocated to defence and security in Nigeria's 2026 budget, citing the high costs associated with modern warfare. Speaking on Channels Television's Politics Today, Musa noted that the budget figure, when converted to dollars, appears substantial but would only buy a limited number of advanced weapons.

He highlighted the costs of specific military equipment such as a Tomahawk missile ($3.2 million) and a drone precision bomb ($100,000), underscoring that even a failed missile launch would result in a loss of $140 million. Musa also emphasized that the budget covers the remuneration of military personnel, further justifying the large allocation.

He acknowledged Nigeria's growing domestic defence manufacturing capabilities, noting that the country now produces vehicles such as Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers. The minister also mentioned a growing number of companies supporting local defence production, including TERA and EPL. Musa highlighted the government's efforts to strengthen Nigeria's air defence system, recognizing the importance of protecting the country's territory against threats.

President Bola Tinubu signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law on April 17, authorizing total expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion for the year, with ₦5.41 trillion allocated to defence and security, one of the largest allocations in the budget.