Insecurity: Senate approves N403.1bn Police Trust Fund budgets 

The Senate on Thursday approved a total of ₦403.1 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) to finance its operations in the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years, in a move aimed at strengthening policing, combating terrorism and kidnapping, and improving internal security across the country.

The approved amount comprises ₦170.10 billion for the 2025 fiscal year and ₦233.96 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.

The approval followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs on the 2025 and 2026 budget proposals of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.

The report was presented by Yunus Akintunde (APC, Oyo Central), on behalf of the Chairman, Senator Abdulhamid Mallam Madori (APC, Jigawa East).

According to the Senate, the funding is expected to strengthen the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force, support the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other security threats, while improving the welfare, infrastructure and operational readiness of the police.

Presenting the committee’s report, Akintunde said the panel carefully examined the budget proposals and was satisfied that they would enable the Trust Fund to effectively carry out its statutory mandate.

He said the committee took cognisance of the responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, which include the procurement of operational vehicles and equipment, rehabilitation of police barracks and police stations, training and retraining of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, and other interventions aimed at enhancing internal security and protecting lives and property nationwide.

“The Committee according to him, is of the firm view that the approval and effective implementation of the proposed budget will further strengthen the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force and contribute significantly to the maintenance of law and order, as well as the protection of lives and property across the Federation.”

Akintunde further urged the Trust Fund to prioritise projects that would directly improve operational efficiency, personnel welfare, training and policing infrastructure across the country.

He also called for stronger monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure value for money and the timely execution of projects, while urging the prompt implementation of the approved budgets to enhance the effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force and strengthen national security.

A breakdown of the approved ₦233.96 billion 2026 budget  shows that ₦43.78 billion was allocated for capital expenditure, while ₦179.11 billion was earmarked for the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters and the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Headquarters, bringing the total capital expenditure to ₦222.89 billion.

The recurrent expenditure consists of ₦1.86 billion for personnel costs and ₦9.21 billion for overhead expenses, amounting to a total recurrent allocation of ₦11.07 billion.

Specifically, the capital expenditure includes ₦43,783,391,153.18, while ₦179,108,751,811.30 was allocated to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Headquarters and the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, giving a subtotal of ₦222,892,142,964.47.

On recurrent expenditure, ₦1,857,751,175.70 was approved for personnel costs and ₦9,213,699,870.00 for overheads, resulting in a subtotal of  ₦11,071,451,046.70 and a grand total of  ₦233,963,594,010.18.

For the 2025 fiscal year, the Senate approved ₦170.10 billion, with ₦159.74 billion allocated to capital projects.

The capital component comprises ₦27.29 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Headquarters and ₦132.45 billion for the Nigeria Police Force.

Personnel costs were pegged at ₦1.82 billion, while ₦8.54 billionwas approved for overhead expenses, bringing the total recurrent allocation to ₦10.36 billion.

In specific terms, the 2025 budget provides ₦27,289,294,129.50 for the NPTF Headquarters and ₦132,452,648,675.00 for the Nigeria Police Force, giving a capital subtotal of ₦159,741,942,804.50.

The recurrent expenditure includes ₦1,821,324,682.06 for personnel costs and ₦8,540,220,054.00 for overheads, amounting to ₦10,361,544,736.06, with a grand total of ₦170,103,487,540.56.

The committee disclosed that the budgets would be financed through statutory sources provided under the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act.

These include 0.5 per cent of total revenue accruing to the Federation Account, 0.5 per cent of Value Added Tax (VAT), 0.05 per cent of the net profits of companies operating in Nigeria, as well as grants, donations and other legitimate sources.

According to the report, projected funding sources include ₦167.33 billion from 0.5 per cent of VAT, ₦56.48 billion from 0.05 per cent of the net profits of companies, ₦9.06 billion from aids, grants and donations, in addition to other statutory allocations and approved funding sources.

Following the adoption of the committee’s report, Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, expressed optimism that the approved funding would significantly improve the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force to tackle growing security challenges across the country.

He said the allocations would support the provision of critical operational equipment, infrastructure, training and other resources required to strengthen policing and enhance the country’s response to terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

The Senate maintained that the prompt implementation of the approved budgets would improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force, enhance personnel welfare and reinforce the country’s internal security architecture.