Full Breakdown of Nigeria’s 2026 Defence Budget: Army Takes ₦1.5trn as Military Gets ₦3.15trn Boost

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The Federal Government has proposed a hefty ₦3.154 trillion allocation for the Ministry of Defence in the 2026 budget, reaffirming its focus on strengthening national security, improving troop welfare, and upgrading military capabilities amid persistent security threats across the country.

Details from the Budget Office of the Federation show that personnel costs account for the bulk of the defence vote, reflecting the size of Nigeria’s armed forces and the rising cost of maintaining military operations nationwide.

The Nigerian Army emerged as the biggest beneficiary, with a total allocation of ₦1.504 trillion. This includes ₦1.255 trillion for personnel expenses, ₦81.9 billion for overheads, and ₦167.8 billion earmarked for capital projects.

The Nigerian Navy was allocated ₦443.9 billion, broken down into ₦322.9 billion for personnel, ₦49.2 billion for overheads, and ₦71.8 billion for capital expenditure. The Nigerian Air Force followed closely with ₦409.1 billion, comprising ₦229.9 billion for personnel, ₦68.6 billion for overheads, and ₦110.7 billion for capital projects.

Beyond the three services, the Defence Headquarters and related services received ₦257 billion, while the Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army (TRADOC) was allocated ₦112.4 billion, underscoring government emphasis on training, doctrine, and operational readiness.

Intelligence and external defence engagements also featured prominently. The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) was allocated ₦68.8 billion, while Defence Missions abroad received ₦83.5 billion to support Nigeria’s military presence and cooperation overseas.

Military education, space, and research institutions recorded notable allocations. The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) received ₦40.4 billion, the Defence Space Administration got ₦40.0 billion, while the Command and Staff College, Jaji and the National Defence College were allocated ₦35.9 billion and ₦29.3 billion, respectively.

Other beneficiaries include the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, Defence Space School, Orogun, and the Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa.

In the area of defence production and innovation, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) was allocated ₦7.65 billion, while the Defence Research and Development Bureau received ₦9.35 billion, reflecting efforts to deepen local defence manufacturing and research capacity.

Pension-related agencies were also captured in the budget, including the Military Pension Board and the Defence Intelligence Agency Civilian Pensions Board, ensuring continued obligations to retired personnel.

Overall, the 2026 defence budget is structured as follows:
Personnel: ₦2.393 trillion
Overhead: ₦297.03 billion
Capital: ₦464.47 billion
Total: ₦3.154 trillion
Security analysts say the scale of the 2026 defence allocation highlights the government’s determination to confront insecurity head-on, even as calls grow for greater transparency, efficiency, and measurable outcomes from defence spending.