Ndume Urges First-Line Charge for Military Budget

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place the annual budget of the Nigerian Armed Forces on First-Line Charge. This move aims to eliminate bureaucratic delays in funding military operations, which Ndume argues hampers the effectiveness of troops combating terrorism and banditry.

He criticized the current envelope budgeting system for creating unnecessary bottlenecks between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Finance. Ndume praised President Tinubu for approving salary increases of 30 to 80 percent for certain military personnel, effective next month, which will benefit approximately 250,000 personnel.

He stated that this salary review, alongside the recent expansion of military divisions from eight to twelve, indicates a strategic approach to addressing insecurity. Ndume stressed that improved welfare must be matched with timely provision of arms and logistics, urging the president to ensure direct statutory funding for the military from the Federation Account.