Abuja, Nigeria – In a passionate appeal to the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, Muhammad Matawalle, called for the approval of an additional ₦20 billion to settle unpaid group life insurance benefits for families of deceased military personnel. Speaking on behalf of the Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, during the 2025 budget defence session, Matawalle also emphasized the dire need to improve living standards for military personnel and address critical funding gaps.
“We have accumulated bills of group life insurance payments that remain unpaid. This is a pressing matter, Mr. Chairman,” Matawalle stated. He noted that the requested funds would provide much-needed relief to the bereaved families.
Highlighting the dire state of military infrastructure, Matawalle lamented the zero allocation for barracks renovations in the 2024 budget. “How do we expect military personnel to perform while their living conditions remain inadequate?” he asked, urging the committee to allocate more resources for improved facilities.
Matawalle disclosed that the Ministry of Defence is grappling with several challenges, including insufficient funds to procure critical equipment. He pointed out that only 20 armored personnel carriers (APCs) were provided in 2024, a number grossly inadequate to address security threats. “In Katsina alone, we need 50 APCs to effectively flush out criminals within two months,” he explained.
Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s dedication to strengthening the country’s defence sector. Recognizing the evolving security challenges, Benson praised the professionalism and commitment of Nigeria’s Armed Forces while stressing the need for strategic innovation and resource efficiency.
“This exercise remains a cornerstone of our legislative responsibility, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources to bolster national security,” Benson said. He further emphasized fiscal transparency, urging that every naira allocated must deliver tangible results and strengthen the operational capacity of the Armed Forces.
Benson also highlighted key issues for deliberation, including project implementation delays, resource mismanagement, and the need for personnel capacity-building programs. He reiterated the legislature’s unwavering support for the military and described the budget defence session as a collective commitment to ensuring a secure and prosperous Nigeria.
The session will continue on January 16, 2025, with further input expected from defence agencies and stakeholders.
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