The Senate has approved a total of ₦404.07 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), endorsing ₦170.10 billion for the 2025 budget and ₦233.96 billion for the 2026 budget to strengthen policing, security operations, and infrastructure nationwide.
The approval followed the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, delivered by the Acting Chairman, Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), on behalf of the Committee Chairman, Senator Abdulhamid Ahmed Mallam-Madori (Jigawa East).
Presenting the report, Akintunde explained that the 2025 budget was reconsidered because implementation of the previously approved proposal could not commence due to legal issues surrounding the amendment of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act.
“This budget proposal was earlier approved under the 2024 fiscal cycle. However, due to developments relating to the amendment of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, 2019, and other circumstances beyond the Fund’s control, implementation could not begin. It is therefore being re-presented as the 2025 budget for legislative approval,” he said.
The committee subsequently recommended the approval of ₦170.10 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, which received overwhelming support from senators.
Supporting the report, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi (Bauchi Central) emphasised the critical role of the Police Trust Fund in bridging funding gaps within the Nigeria Police Force, noting that legal disputes had prevented the Fund from utilising appropriated resources for nearly three years.
“The Trust Fund is meant to address funding gaps, but for almost three years, it has been unable to spend due to legal constraints. We urge the Fund to ensure that every naira appropriated is judiciously utilised, and the National Assembly will monitor its implementation,” Ningi said.
The Senate also considered and approved the ₦233.96 billion budget proposal for 2026, presented by Senator Mallam-Madori, with more than 90 percent of the allocation earmarked for capital expenditure.
Commending the budget structure, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) described it as a model for other government agencies.
“I am particularly impressed that over 90 percent of the budget is allocated to capital expenditure, with only a small portion devoted to recurrent costs. This is a commendable approach that other MDAs should emulate,” Monguno said.
Announcing the approval, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, praised the committee for its thorough work and expressed optimism that the funds would enhance national security.
“Your report is comprehensive and well-articulated. The strong support it received reflects its importance. We expect that these funds will be effectively utilised to strengthen the Nigeria Police Force in tackling crime and addressing insecurity, including kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism,” Barau said.
The approvals are expected to boost the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force through improved funding for equipment, logistics, infrastructure, and other critical security interventions under the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.