Senate Okays ₦403 Billion for Police Trust Fund in 2025 and 2026

The Senate approved the budgets for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund on Thursday. They approved a total of ₦403.1 billion for 2025 and 2026.

For 2025, the Senate set aside ₦170.10 billion and ₦233.96 billion for 2026. Most senators supported the budgets with voice votes during the Committee of Supply. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the budgets were approved after the voting.

This approval came after Senator Yunus Akintunde from Oyo Central presented a report. He did this on behalf of Abdulhamid Madori, who chairs the Senate Committee on Police Affairs.

Akintunde, who is in the ruling All Progressives Congress, said the committee was happy with the proposed budgets. He believes they will help the Trust Fund carry out its responsibilities, especially in improving the Nigeria Police Force's operational capacity.

He explained that the funds will help buy operational vehicles and equipment, fix police barracks and stations, train police personnel, and support other programs aimed at improving policing across Nigeria.

Looking at the 2026 budget, ₦43.78 billion is for capital spending. ₦179.11 billion is for projects at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters and the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Headquarters. This makes total capital spending ₦222.89 billion. The recurrent part includes ₦1.86 billion for personnel costs and ₦9.21 billion for overheads, totaling ₦11.07 billion.

The committee mentioned that funding for the 2026 budget will come from statutory allocations. This includes 0.5 per cent of revenue from the Federation Account, 0.5 per cent of Value Added Tax, and 0.05 per cent of company profits in Nigeria. They will also seek grants, donations, and other legal sources.

For 2025, the approved budget has ₦159.74 billion for capital projects. This includes ₦27.29 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Headquarters and ₦132.45 billion for the Nigeria Police Force. The recurrent spending for 2025 is ₦1.82 billion for personnel costs and ₦8.54 billion for overheads, making total recurrent spending ₦10.36 billion.

The committee stated that funding for the 2025 budget would also come from statutory allocations, VAT receipts, contributions from company profits, grants, donations, and other approved sources.

Akintunde urged the Trust Fund to focus on projects that improve efficiency, personnel welfare, training, and police facilities. He also called for better monitoring and evaluation to ensure good results and timely project delivery.

The committee asked for quick implementation of the approved budgets. They want to boost the Nigeria Police Force's effectiveness and strengthen security in the country.

After the approval, Akpabio expressed hope that the funds would help provide necessary equipment, infrastructure, and training to improve policing. He said this would strengthen security agencies in tackling terrorism, kidnapping, and other crimes across Nigeria.