By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has called for enhanced collaboration and increased funding for the defence sector to effectively address banditry and other security challenges across Nigeria.
Dr. Matawalle made this appeal while presenting the Ministry of Defence’s 2025 Budget Proposal to the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Defence at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The Minister emphasized the critical need for stronger partnerships with lawmakers and lauded the steadfast commitment of the Defence Committees in both chambers.
He described the current budgetary allocation as inadequate to address the complex security issues confronting the nation, particularly in providing modern equipment necessary for tackling banditry.
“With adequate resources and equipment, we can make significant progress in combating banditry.
"In 2024, we managed to procure a limited number of Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), but there remains an urgent need for more to effectively respond to security threats,” he added.
The Minister highlighted that the Ministry’s struggles to meet the growing demand for essential defence assets due to budget constraints.
Dr. Matawalle urged lawmakers to consider increasing the budget allocation for the Ministry to ensure the provision of critical equipment in areas experiencing renewed attacks.
Additionally, he stressed that adequate funding would enable swift and decisive action to curb insecurity nationwide.
The Minister expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the Defence Committees for their unwavering support and collaborative efforts, which he credited with advancing the Ministry’s goals.
The committee leadership reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Defence to achieve the security objectives outlined in the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Matawalle was accompanied at the presentation by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, and senior directors from the Ministry.
