Senator Lawan Seeks First-Line Charge for Defence Budget
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Senator Lawan Seeks First-Line Charge for Defence Budget
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Former Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, has called for defence and security budgets to be placed on first-line charge to prevent delays in funding military operations amid Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
Lawan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Defence, also advocated increased investment in military equipment and operational platforms, suggesting that a specific percentage of national resources should be dedicated to strengthening the country’s security architecture.
He made the proposals at the 2026 conference of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria, DECAN in Abuja on Monday, where the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, called for responsible reporting to counter misinformation targeting the military.
The conference, themed, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” examined the growing role of technology, intelligence and strategic communication in modern warfare.
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Lawan said timely funding was critical to ensuring that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies had the resources required to tackle insurgency, banditry and other criminal activities across the country.
He disclosed that during his more than 27 years in the National Assembly, he had not witnessed a request from the executive for the Armed Forces and other security agencies that was not approved.
The former Senate president commended President Bola Tinubu for making more resources available to security agencies, expressing confidence that Nigeria was making progress in addressing insecurity.
He, however, acknowledged that the country had yet to attain the desired level of security, urging Nigerians to recognise the sacrifices of military personnel and support ongoing operations.
Lawan also praised defence correspondents for reporting military activities and informing the public about the challenges confronting troops, stressing that national security required the collective efforts of the government, security agencies and citizens.
Meanwhile, General Oluyede warned that the growing use of artificial intelligence to create fake videos, manipulated images and cloned voices posed a threat to military operations and public confidence.
The CDS, who was represented by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said modern conflicts were increasingly shaped by intelligence, technological capabilities, cyber resilience and control of the information environment.
According to him, military superiority could no longer be determined by firepower alone, as timely intelligence and the effective use of technology had become critical to operational success.
Oluyede said the Armed Forces were strengthening their non-kinetic capabilities through the Defence Space Administration, the expansion of modular earth observation outposts in operational theatres and the establishment of the Defence Space School.
He added that the military was integrating artificial intelligence and advanced surveillance systems into its operations to improve intelligence gathering, support decision-making and enhance the protection of citizens.
The CDS cautioned that fabricated digital content could mislead Nigerians, trigger panic in communities, endanger troops and undermine public trust in the Armed Forces.
He described deepfakes as instruments of psychological warfare, warning that a single AI-generated video could damage operational gains achieved over several months.
Oluyede urged defence correspondents to verify sensitive operational information with the Defence Headquarters before publication, stressing that accuracy should take precedence over the pressure to break news.
He also called on journalists to educate the public on identifying synthetic media and promptly correcting false information circulated in the name of the military.
The CDS urged DECAN members to move beyond sensational headlines and embrace intelligence-led reporting that promotes public understanding, supports joint military operations and counters extremist propaganda.
He assured the association of the Defence Headquarters’ continued support and commitment to timely information sharing, while commending its members for promoting professionalism and responsible defence journalism.
