Senate Approves ₦404bn Police Trust Fund Budgets for 2025, 2026

The Senate on Thursday approved a combined budget of ₦404.07 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, endorsing the Fund’s 2025 appropriation of ₦170.10 billion and its 2026 budget of ₦233.96 billion to enhance policing, security operations and critical infrastructure across the country.

The approval followed the presentation of reports by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, delivered by the committee’s Acting Chairman, Senator Yunus Akintunde, on behalf of the Chairman, Senator Abdulhamid Ahmed Mallam Madori.

Presenting the report on the 2025 budget proposal, Akintunde explained that the appropriation was being reconsidered because implementation of the previously approved budget was delayed by legal issues arising from the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Establishment Act, 2019.

According to him, the budget had initially been approved under the 2024 fiscal year but could not be implemented due to circumstances beyond the control of the Fund.

Following the committee’s recommendation, the Senate approved the ₦170.10 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

During deliberations, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi described the Police Trust Fund as a vital intervention mechanism for addressing funding gaps within the Nigeria Police Force. He lamented that legal disputes had prevented the agency from utilising appropriated funds for nearly three years and urged the Fund to ensure prudent use of public resources.

The Senate also considered and approved the Fund’s 2026 budget proposal of ₦233.96 billion, with more than 90 per cent of the allocation earmarked for capital expenditure.

Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno commended the spending structure, describing it as an example other Ministries, Departments and Agencies should emulate because of its strong emphasis on capital projects that directly improve operational capacity.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, praised the committee for its work and expressed confidence that the approved funds would strengthen the Nigeria Police Force in combating kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other security challenges.

Established to provide additional funding for the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Police Trust Fund supports training, equipment procurement, operational logistics, infrastructure development and other capacity building initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness of policing across the country.