Matawalle Requests N20 Billion for Military Personnel’s Family Benefits Amid Defence Budget Concerns
The Minister of State for Defence, Muhammad Matawalle, has called on the House of Representatives Committee on Defence to approve an additional N20 billion to address the payment of life insurance benefits to the families of deceased military personnel. Matawalle made the request during the 2025 budget defence session in Abuja, representing the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru. He emphasized that improving the welfare of military personnel is essential for their efficiency and performance.
Matawalle highlighted several critical issues, including the non-payment and accumulation of group life insurance premiums for military personnel. He urged the committee to consider his request for additional funding to settle these outstanding payments. He also pointed out that the budget allocation for barracks in the 2024 budget was zero, stressing that military personnel cannot perform optimally under such conditions.
“Most of the barracks in the 2024 budget had zero allocation, which means how can we expect military personnel to work effectively with inadequate living standards?” Matawalle questioned. He further stated that despite a budget of just N50 billion for 2025, the Ministry of Defence was grappling with a shortfall of N18 billion from the previous year, leaving them unable to meet equipment needs or improve barracks conditions.
Matawalle also drew attention to the shortage of equipment, such as armoured personnel carriers (APCs), pointing out that with only 20 APCs available, tackling banditry in areas like Katsina would be extremely difficult. He called for increased funding to provide necessary equipment for military personnel and to address the security challenges facing the country.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring sufficient funding for the defence sector. He emphasized that the military plays a crucial role in safeguarding national security amidst rising security threats. Benson highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in the use of allocated funds, urging defence agencies to adopt strategic initiatives focused on improving operational efficiency.
Benson also acknowledged the professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces in combating insurgency, terrorism, and banditry, noting that the evolving security landscape requires continued innovation. The budget defence session, which will continue on January 16, 2025, is expected to feature further deliberations from defence agencies and stakeholders, focusing on addressing resource mismanagement, project delays, and capacity-building for military personnel.
