The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have commended the House of Representatives for initiating a comprehensive investigation into federal security intervention funds, calling for an extended review of state-level “Security Vote” allocations.
The House Ad-hoc Committee on the Expenditure of All Intervention Funds on Security, chaired by Hon. Zakaria Nyampa, is examining all federal security funds disbursed from 2020 to date. The move, according to CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, is a crucial step toward ensuring transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in the management of resources meant to safeguard Nigerians.
In a statement signed by Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of TI-Nigeria, the organization said: “We are hopeful the National Assembly will conduct this exercise with utmost sincerity, demonstrating its constitutionally-guaranteed oversight powers.”
Over the years, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria has highlighted corruption, fund diversion, procurement irregularities, and inefficiencies across the Defence and Security sector, which have undermined counter-terrorism efforts and worsened insecurity nationwide.
The group urged sub-national stakeholders, including State Houses of Assembly, to investigate how states utilize “Security Vote” funds, which have often been disbursed opaquely, exposing the system to corruption and mismanagement.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria also welcomed the Committee’s decision to collaborate with key federal agencies, including the Ministry of Finance, Budget Office, Office of the National Security Adviser, defence and police authorities, as well as anti-corruption bodies EFCC and ICPC, alongside civil society organizations.
The organization congratulated newly appointed security chiefs, particularly Chief of Defence Staff Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for prioritizing personnel welfare while enhancing national security. CISLAC/TI-Nigeria reiterated calls for timely payment of salaries, improved living conditions, and adequate welfare for security personnel and their families, citing these as critical to operational efficiency and effective defence governance.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria urged the National Assembly to intensify reforms across procurement, operations, finances, and personnel management to curb corruption. Recommended measures include categorizing classified and non-classified procurement items, implementing risk-based audits, leveraging technology, protecting whistleblowers, and enhancing citizen participation in anti-corruption initiatives.
The organization further called for harmonization of the Freedom of Information Act and Official Secrets Act to remove barriers to civilian oversight, while urging Ministries of Defence and Interior to establish a robust external oversight framework supported by regulatory bodies, audits, data analytics, and continuous training programs.
“Our commitment remains to promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s Defence and Security sectors to safeguard lives, property, and national interests,” Musa concluded.