Nigerian States Budget ₦525bn for Security Amid Rising Killings

States across Nigeria earmarked a combined ₦525.23 billion for security votes and related operations between 2023 and 2025, according to an analysis of approved budget documents obtained from Open States, a BudgIT-backed government budget repository.

Despite the massive allocations aimed at boosting security, citizens remain increasingly vulnerable to killings, kidnappings, and other violent crimes, raising questions about the effectiveness and transparency of the spending.

Although security is constitutionally the responsibility of the Federal Government, worsening insecurity has compelled state governors to adopt internal security measures. However, these efforts have largely failed to curb criminal activities, with perpetrators continuing to operate with impunity.

The analysis covered 32 states, excluding Gombe, Kebbi, Niger and Yobe, which did not clearly disclose their security vote allocations. Ekiti also failed to clearly disclose its 2025 figures, suggesting the total amount may be higher.

Data shows that states approved ₦150.47bn in 2023, ₦164.07bn in 2024, and ₦210.68bn in 2025, representing a 40.01 per cent increase over the three-year period.

Borno State recorded the highest cumulative allocation at ₦57.40bn, followed by Anambra (₦42.57bn), Delta (₦38.44bn), and Benue (₦36.87bn). At the lower end, Rivers disclosed ₦210m, Akwa Ibom ₦624m, and Ekiti ₦3.1m over the same period.

Regional analysis showed that the North East accounted for the largest share with ₦113.78bn, driven largely by Borno’s rising allocations. The South East followed with ₦102.59bn, while the South West recorded the lowest disclosed total at ₦63.16bn, despite a sharp spike in 2025.

Security votes, which are special funds meant for intelligence gathering and emergency response, have long been criticised for their secrecy.

Speaking to The PUNCH, National Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Groups, Jamilu Charanchi, questioned the value of the allocations.

“What is a security vote? What are they doing with the security vote? Don’t we still have killings in the North? Don’t we still have bad roads, dilapidated structures and hospitals? Governments cannot provide health care services to their citizens.

“They cannot provide education. They cannot provide road infrastructure. Electricity is questionable. What are they doing with the money? What are they doing with the security vote?”

President Bola Tinubu, speaking at a security conference, stressed the role of governance at the grassroots.

“Sadly, the state of our local government system in Nigeria is a cause of concern, as its degradation and incapacitation have continued significantly and have contributed significantly to our developmental setback and our inability to effectively address the prevailing national security threat.”

Organised labour has also criticised state governments. NLC Lagos Chairperson, Comrade Funmi Sessi, said:

“States and local governments cannot fold their arms. They are closest to the people, they understand the terrain, and they receive security-related allocations. Nigerians deserve to see concrete results.”

Her deputy, Comrade Olapisi Ido, added:

“State governments receive special security allocations. The question Nigerians are asking is simple: what are they using the money for? People are dying daily, and communities are living in fear.”