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FG allocates N960bn for aircrafts, security equipment in 2025

Published

5 months ago

December 22, 2024

The Federal Government of Nigeria has earmarked a total of N960bn for the maintenance of the country’s defence aircraft and the purchase of security equipment across various sectors in the 2025 fiscal year.

The agencies procuring this equipment include the Office of the National Security Adviser, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Immigration Service, among others.

Although not explicitly stated in the proposed 2025 budget, the allocation of this amount could be linked to the government’s commitment to bolstering national security amid persistent challenges such as insurgency, banditry, and cyber threats.

In the breakdown, the Nigerian Defence Academy allocated N2,149,210,875 for security equipment, while the Nigerian Air Force budgeted N5,250,000,000 for security equipment and N70,450,575,356 for defence equipment.

The Nigerian Navy allotted N39,445,320,666 for defence equipment, while the Nigerian Army budgeted N4,873,731,363 for security equipment and N110,202,679,367 for defence equipment.

Others include the Ministry of Defence, which allocated N2,752,000,000 for defence equipment and N1,081,270,000 for security equipment, and the DSS, which earmarked N10,323,730,384 for security equipment.

The Nigeria Immigration Service had the largest single allocation with N438,817,624,296 for security equipment, while the Nigeria Correctional Service budgeted N1,231,334,077 for security equipment. The Ministry of Police Affairs allocated N62,508,813 for security equipment.

Additionally, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit allocated N100,000,000 for security equipment, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps earmarked N82,165,473, while the National Security Adviser’s Office set aside N170,002,000,000 for security equipment.

For the maintenance and fuelling of the country’s security aircraft, the Nigerian Army allocated N8.3bn, while the Nigerian Navy voted N5.6bn, bringing the total to N13.9bn.

The Army also budgeted a total of N51.5bn for the procurement of arms and ammunition, N350m for 10,000 litres of Jet A-1 Bowser, N6bn for protective gear (ballistic helmets and ballistic vests), N2.9bn for uniforms and boots, and N19.1bn for unmanned aerial systems and additional ground stations.

Additionally, N14.4bn was budgeted for the procurement of EQ series 4×4 multifunctional vehicles and camel MRAPs, while N2.29bn was allocated for all types of vehicle tyres, including run-flat tyres.

Recall that in the first seven months of this year, the government spent N63.6bn to procure equipment and ammunition for the military and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

President Bola Tinubu, on December 18, presented a proposed N47.90tn 2025 budget to the National Assembly, describing it as the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace and Rebuilding Prosperity.” Out of the proposed sum, N4.91tn was allocated to defence and security, underscoring the administration’s focus on addressing the nation’s security challenges.

Related Topics:FG Nigeria Nigerian Police Tinubu

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BUNKERING: Army, Tantita Security Arrest Truck Laden with Illegally Extracted Crude Oil in Delta

Published

35 minutes ago

May 14, 2025

ADMIN

A joint team comprising officers of the 181 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Oleh, and personnel from Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. has arrested a vacuum truck involved in illegal crude oil extraction at Well 3, Olomoro, in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to reports, the truck, which previously belonged to Engr. Daniel Omoyibo, also known as Damotech, was gifted to the driver, Mr. Matthew Ojomikre, who is currently being detained at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), 181 Battalion, Oleh.

Upon interrogation, the driver confessed that his company had been contracted by Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd. to evacuate sludge from Well 3, Olomoro. However, he was unable to provide any formal approvals or documentation authorizing the activity, as was previously the norm.

Until recently, Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd. had consistently provided crude and condensate trucking permits to officers of the Nigerian Army and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. for proper monitoring from the loading point to the discharge location.

Officers of Tantita Security Services, in collaboration with a team from Heritage and the Nigerian Army, have collected samples from the vacuum truck for laboratory testing and analysis.

The preliminary confessional statement from the driver indicates that he illegally collected crude oil from Well 3 under the pretense of evacuating sludge from the wellheads.

Authorities have reported that the same truck has previously been involved in unauthorized crude oil evacuations within the Isoko axis.

The driver, the truck, and its contents remain in custody at the 181 Battalion Base in Oleh for further interrogation and possible prosecution.

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AMMC Partners NUJ-FCT On Infrastructural Development

Published

2 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has expressed commitment to partner the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council on infrastructural development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

AMMC Coordinator, Chief Felix Amechi Obuah gave the assurance when he received the Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, and her executive team on a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Abuja.

Chief Obuah who welcomed members of the NUJ FCT, and commended the media plays a very vital role in the growth and development of any organisation.

He also used the occasion to congratulate the first female chairperson of the union after forty one years of its existence and prays for a successful tenure

Obuah expressed his readiness to collaborate with the council having recognised the vital role the media plays in informing the public on activities of AMMC which is helping the agency to ensure full compliance with the FCT master plan.

He said: “I welcome you and your team to our corporate office today. I have listened to you and I just have to say that, I am indeed very happy to partner with the NUJ FCT. We need to partner together to be able to achieve our core and corporate mandate – and in partnering together, we support each other and grow together and educate the public, so as to attain infrastructural development in the FCT in line with the master plan of the nation’s capital city”.

He also expressed willingness to support the NUJ FCT Council, but explained that current financial constraints make it difficult to make any immediate commitment but hopes to accommodate the union’s needs in the next budget.

“Even though I am a bit handicapped to make any promises because of budgetary constraints, but in the subsequent budget, I assure you that whatever we can do to help your dream come true for NUJ and your members, the agency will do everything humanly possible to contribute their quota to the growth of the union in line with the FCT master plan

“You can write my office on what you feel we can do officially. I will also present it in the next budget and I will go to my superior, the Honourable Minister of FCT, and say these people visited me and came with a very solid, verified programme—how do we assist? Because whatever we are doing, with the media, the public would not know and be able to key into it”, he added.

Earlier, Chairperson of the NUJ FCT Ms Ike, thanked Chief Obuah for receiving her team and commended the AMMC Coordinator for the effective management and coordination of municipal services as well as infrastructural development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She used the occasion to commend his support for workers welfare which earned him the employee’s advocate award of the year award

She said “ I must commend your leadership efforts in ensuring proper maintenance and sustainable management of the city’s infrastructure, utilities, and services”

She highlighted major infrastructural challenges currently facing the NUJ FCT Council and requested support to improve their facilities such as the completion of the Pentagon building, and a hall that cannot house more than 2, 000 journalists during her monthly congress.

She also made a strong case for the NUJ FCT “Journalists’ Village”, which would offer journalists affordable housing and a suitable environment to carry out their work.

She said, “On behalf of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Territory Council, I express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to the welfare of workers, including media professionals. Your kind gestures and support have not gone unnoticed and have greatly encouraged us in our mission.

“Today, we come with a sincere appeal for your support towards the establishment of a Journalists’ Village here in the FCT. This initiative is vital for providing affordable housing, professional facilities, and a conducive environment that will enhance the welfare and productivity of journalists who play a critical role in our democracy.

“We believe that with the AMMC’s collaboration, we can secure the necessary resources, land, and policy backing to bring this vision to fruition. Such a village will not only improve the living standards of journalists but also serve as a hub for capacity building, relaxation, and professional growth.

“We appreciate your past efforts and hope to count on your continued partnership to make this project a reality, thereby restoring dignity and stability to journalists who tirelessly serve the public interest” she added.

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UBEC plans new template for basic school fund disbursement

Published

2 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

The Universal Basic Education Commission on Tuesday announced plans to introduce a new template for disbursing counterpart funds under the Universal Basic Education programme.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Aisha Garba, during an interactive workshop with State Universal Basic Education Boards in Abuja.

Garba explained that the Federal Government, through UBEC, had recently restructured the delivery of basic education nationwide to align with four strategic pillars aimed at improving access and quality across states and the Federal Capital Territory.

She identified the pillars as expanding access to basic education, especially for rural and underserved populations; enhancing the quality of teaching and learning nationwide; strengthening accountability and the effective use of education financing; and optimising monitoring and institutional systems for quality service delivery.

She said, “The Hope Education Project of the present administration is a performance-for-reward initiative designed to support states that judiciously utilise resources in line with these four pillars.”

She added that the new approach had made it necessary to develop fresh templates that will guide SUBEBs in preparing work plans to access UBE intervention funds under the framework of the Hope Education Project.

Also speaking at the event, UBEC’s Deputy Executive Secretary for General Services, Tunde Ajibulu, described the workshop as timely and essential.

He stressed that the realignment of basic education delivery made the introduction of the new templates crucial.

“We expect you, as implementers of basic education in your respective states, to contribute positively and help develop workable templates,” Ajibulu said.