The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has raised concerns over inadequate funding in the Nigerian Army, highlighting a critical shortage of resources to accommodate new recruits.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja during a visit by the Senate Committee on Army to the Army Headquarters, Oluyede praised the committee for its ongoing support but emphasized that the current budget framework, particularly the envelope budgeting system, falls short of meeting the army’s operational and welfare needs.
He appealed to the lawmakers to establish a dedicated funding mechanism outside the envelope budgeting structure. This, he said, is vital to ensure the army can provide necessary combat support and improve welfare infrastructure for personnel.
“As we speak, the army is still challenged in terms of operational efficiency. This year alone, we are expecting about 13,000 new personnel, but there are no corresponding resources to provide accommodation for them,” Oluyede stated.
He added, “We still have soldiers not being accommodated, and that number will continue to grow. We are not only looking at internal security threats, but what if someday we face external challenges? It is critical that we address this.”
In response, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, acknowledged the funding gaps and pledged to push for increased budget allocations for the military.
“The Nigerian Army and Armed Forces should be removed from the envelope budgeting system so they can access more funds to fulfill their mandate. Our oversight visits have clearly shown this need,” Yar’Adua said.
He assured that the committee will continue collaborating with the executive branch to ensure the army receives adequate funding.
The senator also disclosed that the committee has divided into groups to inspect army formations across Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos states as part of its oversight responsibilities, ensuring transparency and effective use of allocated funds.
