Authorities of the Nigerian Army, on Thursday, revealed that at least 13,000 fresh personnel will be injected into the existing manpower of the ground force before the end of 2025.
It, however, lamented that there are slim resources to cater for the expected personnel, adding that the army is still challenged in terms of operational efficiency.
The Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, disclosed this at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, while playing host to the Senate Committee on Army who were on an oversight function.
Oluyede, a Lieutenant-General, appealed for improved funding for the Nigerian Army because of growing demands of operational efficiency and personnel welfare.
Daily Trust reports that the Senate committee, which was led by its Chairman, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, had on different occasions demanded an increase in operational efficiency in order to tame growing insecurity.
Speaking during the visit, the Army chief lamented that the current funding mechanisms, particularly the envelope budgeting system, were inadequate to meet the army’s needs. As we speak, the Army is still challenged in terms of operational efficiency. This year alone, we are expecting about 13,000 new personnel, but there are no corresponding resources to provide accommodation for them.
“We still have soldiers not being accommodated, and that number will continue to grow,” the top army officer revealed.
He urged the committee to consider creating special funding provisions for the Army outside the envelope budgeting structure, to enable it to provide the required combat support and welfare infrastructure.
“We are not only looking at insecurity within, what if someday we are challenged from outside. So, I want to pray that you please look at that, and at the same time, look at how we can get special funds for us to provide accommodation for our soldiers. It’s very critical,” he added.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Sen. Yar’Adua, acknowledged the army’s funding constraints and reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to advocating for improved budgetary allocations.
He said, “The Nigerian Armed Forces should be taken out of the envelope budgeting system, so they have more funds to carry out their mandate. We’ve seen the need during our oversight visits.”
Yar’Adua disclosed that the committee had split into two groups to inspect Army formations in Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos states.
According to him, the exercise was conducted in line with the Constitution and Senate rules, aimed at ensuring effective use of appropriated funds.
He noted that while most projects visited were progressing well with some already completed, there were concerns about a few, which had been brought to the attention of the Army leadership.
“We want to assure the Chief of Army Staff of our continued support and collaboration with the executive to ensure the Army is adequately funded,” Yar’Adua stated.
He added that the committee plans another round of oversight before the end of the year to assess the implementation of the 2025 Appropriations Act.
