Senate approves N404bn Police Trust Fund budgets for 2025, 2026

The Senate has approved a total budget of N404.07 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), giving the green light to its 2025 and 2026 expenditure plans aimed at improving policing, security operations and infrastructure nationwide.

The approved allocation includes N170.10 billion for the 2025 fiscal year and N233.96 billion for 2026.

The approval followed the adoption of the report presented by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs.

The report was delivered by Senator Yunus Akintunde, representing Oyo Central, on behalf of the committee chairman, Senator Ahmad Mallam-Madori of Jigawa North-East.

While presenting the report, Akintunde explained that the 2025 budget had to be resubmitted because its earlier implementation was delayed by legal issues linked to proposed amendments to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act.

“This budget proposal under consideration was previously approved for implementation under the 2024 fiscal period,” he said.

“However, owing to developments arising from the proposed amendment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund Establishment Act, 2019, and other circumstances beyond the control of the Fund, implementation of the approved budget could not commence.

“Consequently, the budget is being represented as the 2025 budget proposal for legislative consideration and approval.”

Following the committee’s recommendation, the Senate endorsed the N170.10 billion allocation for 2025 before proceeding to approve the N233.96 billion budget for 2026.

Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central described the Police Trust Fund as a vital institution for bridging funding shortages within the Nigeria Police Force, noting that prolonged legal disputes had prevented it from utilizing allocated funds for nearly three years.

“The trust fund is supposed to fill the funding gap, but for almost three years running, because of legal issues, the Trust Fund has not been able to spend a kobo,” Ningi said.

“We encourage the fund to ensure that every kobo appropriated is properly utilized, and the national assembly will track its implementation.”

Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno praised the structure of the 2026 budget, highlighting that over 90 per cent of the allocation was dedicated to capital projects.

“I am highly impressed by the fact that more than 90 percent of the budget is devoted to capital expenditure, while the rest goes to recurrent expenditure,” he said.

“Other MDAs should take a cue from this because capital spending has greater potential to positively impact the operations of agencies.”

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, commended the committee for its work and expressed optimism that the approved funds would enhance the police’s capacity to combat insecurity.

“Your report is well put together and well articulated. The overwhelming support it received speaks for itself,” he said.

“We hope that this sum of money approved today will be utilized in a manner that will add more impetus to the Nigerian Police Force in fighting crime and addressing insecurity, especially kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.”

The approval comes weeks after the Senate passed the Police Trust Fund Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to strengthen the legal and institutional framework of the fund.

The proposed legislation also increases the statutory allocation to the NPTF from 0.5 per cent to one per cent of revenue accruing to the Federation Account.

Senate approves N404bn Police Trust Fund budgets for 2025, 2026