The Minister of State for Defence, Muhammad Matawalle, has urged the House of Representatives Committee on Defence to approve an additional ₦20 billion to settle outstanding group life insurance benefits for the families of deceased military personnel. Matawalle made this appeal on Tuesday during the 2025 budget defence session, highlighting the pressing need to address accumulated obligations.
He stressed that non-payment of these benefits has created significant challenges for bereaved families and emphasized the critical importance of fulfilling these commitments. “We have non-payment and accumulated bills of group life insurance for military personnel,” Matawalle stated. “I request the committee’s consideration of an additional ₦20 billion to address this issue and provide relief to the families of our fallen heroes.”
Matawalle also raised concerns about the zero allocation in the 2024 budget for barracks maintenance, noting the negative impact inadequate living conditions have on military personnel’s morale and performance. “How do we expect our military personnel to perform when their living standards are so inadequate? All zones have been left without proper allocations, and these are the people we expect to protect us,” he said.
Representing the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, Matawalle lamented the ministry’s constrained resources and the unrealistic expectations placed on it. Despite a ₦50 billion allocation for 2025, he revealed an ₦18 billion shortfall from the previous year, making it nearly impossible to address critical security needs, including the acquisition of equipment such as armored personnel carriers (APCs).
“In Katsina alone, 50 APCs would suffice to neutralize the threat of banditry within two months. Yet, with the current allocation, we were only able to provide 20 APCs across all zones. This is inadequate to tackle the scale of the challenges we face,” he said.
Matawalle expressed frustration over public misconceptions about the defence budget, clarifying that the resources allocated are insufficient to cover operational needs, entitlements, and barracks renovations. “This month, I had to write to the President just to secure funds for the Presidential Guard. We cannot continue like this,” he added, calling on lawmakers to allocate more funds to the ministry.
In response, the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring effective resource allocation for the defence sector. He acknowledged the indispensable role of the Armed Forces in addressing Nigeria’s complex and evolving security challenges.
Despite limited resources, Matawalle assured the committee that the Ministry of Defence and its personnel remain dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians. His appeal underscores the urgent need for increased investment in the military to enhance operational capacity and improve welfare for the nation’s defenders.
