The Senate on Thursday approved a combined ₦404.07 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), endorsing the Fund’s 2025 budget of ₦170.10 billion and 2026 budget of ₦233.96 billion to boost policing, security operations and critical infrastructure nationwide.
The approvals followed the presentation of reports by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, delivered by its Acting Chairman, Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), on behalf of the committee chairman, Senator Abdulhamid Ahmed Mallam-Madori (Jigawa East).
Presenting the 2025 budget proposal, Akintunde explained that the appropriation was being resubmitted for consideration because implementation of the previously approved budget had been delayed by legal issues linked to the proposed amendment of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2019.
“This budget proposal under consideration was previously approved for implementation under the 2024 fiscal period. However, owing to developments arising from the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2019, and other circumstances beyond the control of the Fund, implementation of the approved budget could not commence.
“Consequently, the budget is being represented as the 2025 budget proposal for legislative consideration and approval,” he said.
The committee’s recommendation for the approval of ₦170.10 billion for the 2025 fiscal year was adopted by the Senate after receiving overwhelming support from lawmakers.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi (Bauchi Central) described the Police Trust Fund as an important intervention mechanism designed to address funding gaps in the Nigeria Police Force.
He, however, expressed concern that legal disputes had prevented the Fund from accessing and utilising appropriated resources for nearly three years.
“The Trust Fund is supposed to fill the funding gap, but for almost three years, because of legal issues, the Trust Fund has not been able to spend a kobo. We encourage the Fund to ensure that every kobo appropriated is properly utilised, and the National Assembly will track its implementation,” Ningi said.
The Senate later considered and approved the Fund’s 2026 budget of ₦233.96 billion, with more than 90 per cent of the allocation earmarked for capital expenditure.
Commending the structure of the budget, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) said the emphasis on capital projects should serve as a model for other government agencies.
“I am highly impressed by the fact that more than 90 per cent of the budget is devoted to capital expenditure, while the rest goes to recurrent expenditure. Other MDAs should take a cue from this because capital spending has greater potential to positively impact the operations of agencies,” he said.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, commended the committee’s work and expressed hope that the approved funds would strengthen the police in tackling insecurity.
“Your report is well put together and well articulated. The overwhelming support it received speaks for itself. We hope that this sum of money approved today will be utilised in a manner that will add more impetus to the Nigeria Police Force in fighting crime and addressing insecurity, especially kidnapping, banditry and terrorism,” Barau said.
The Nigeria Police Trust Fund was established to provide additional funding support to the Nigeria Police Force through interventions in training, equipment procurement, operational logistics, infrastructure development and other capacity-building programmes.
The Senate’s approval is expected to enhance the operational capacity of the police as the country continues to battle kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other security challenges.
