NASS to Meet President on Funding Strategy for Intelligence Agencies

 

The National Assembly has disclosed plans to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over persistent funding challenges facing security and intelligence agencies, particularly the non-release of capital allocations in the current fiscal year.

 

Speaking after close door deliberations with key security and intelligence institutions, the Chairman of the National Intelligence committee, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi acknowledged that the issue of non-release of capital funds is not limited to defence and intelligence agencies but affects Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the board.

 

He stated that after receiving reports from relevant committees, the committee will convene to develop comprehensive solutions to address the funding gaps, especially within the context of the 2026 fiscal year.

 

Yahaya emphasized that following the President’s declaration of a national emergency on security, such a pronouncement must be supported with adequate funding to ensure it does not become merely symbolic.

 

“President Tinubu had declared that emergency, and therefore, if there is an emergency, there should be funding to back up that emergency. So we will have to come up strategy to ensure that the words and declaration of the President does not go out in vain.

 

“We will sit down even it means going through the leadership to meet Mr. President, to take the plight of the security and intelligence agencies into account and report directly to him so that appropriate steps are taken to ensure that the agencies are given enough funds to pursue their constitutional responsibilities”

 

He noted that security agencies require sufficient financial backing to effectively carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

 

According to the lawmaker, 2026 represents a critical year for Nigeria’s democracy, particularly in view of the prevailing security situation. He warned that failure to properly fund security institutions could pose significant challenges as the country approaches the next general elections.

 

He disclosed that they may formally approach the President, through its leadership, to present the concerns and recommendations of both chambers in a unified manner.

 

On the controversial “envelope budgeting system,” the Chairman expressed strong reservations, describing it as outdated and no longer reflective of present national realities. He noted that the system, introduced during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo amid fiscal constraints caused by declining oil revenues, was designed as a temporary measure.

 

“This envelope system, you know, was developed years ago,when I was in the civil service. And I think it has outlived its usefulness for me, personally, it is my own opinion.

 

“You know, we are not budgeting on needs. We are just budgeting on money, but it’s not the issue of less money, the needs of the institutions and the priorities that we have that we should fund, not just to give people money and say, Okay, go and share” he said

 

However, he argued that current national challenges demand a needs-based budgeting framework rather than allocations driven strictly by pre-set financial ceilings.

 

He noted that the committee would engage the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation to reassess the continued relevance of the envelope system and explore reforms that align budgetary allocations with national priorities.

 

He also noted that the committee have concluded their preliminary reviews and are preparing formal reports for submission to the Appropriation Committee and the leadership of the National Assembly for further action.