Between 2023 and 2025, Nigerian states set aside a staggering ₦525.23 billion for security votes and related operations, according to an analysis of approved budget documents. The figures, drawn from Open States—a BudgIT-backed platform that tracks government spending—were meant to reflect stronger efforts to protect lives and property. Instead, they have raised uncomfortable questions as insecurity continues to worsen across the country.
Despite the constitutional responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure national security, the persistent surge in kidnappings, armed robberies and violent attacks has pushed state governors to adopt their own security measures. Yet, on the streets and in communities, many Nigerians say little has changed, with criminals still operating freely and fear becoming a daily reality.
The analysis covered 32 states, excluding Gombe, Kebbi, Niger and Yobe, which did not clearly disclose their security vote allocations. Ekiti also failed to properly disclose its 2025 figures, suggesting the true total spent on security votes may be even higher than reported.
Yearly breakdowns show a steady and worrying rise. States approved ₦150.47bn in 2023, increased it to ₦164.07bn in 2024, and then sharply raised it to ₦210.68bn in 2025. Within just three years, security vote spending jumped by over 40 per cent, adding more than ₦60bn to annual budgets.
A few states accounted for a large chunk of the total. Borno topped the list with ₦57.40bn over three years, reflecting the heavy cost of counterinsurgency in the North East. Anambra followed closely with ₦42.57bn after a dramatic rise from just ₦184.9m in 2023 to over ₦25bn in 2025. Delta, Benue, Ondo and Zamfara also posted large figures, while states like Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Ekiti reported comparatively tiny amounts, raising questions about transparency and reporting standards.
Spending patterns shifted year by year. Bauchi led in 2023, Zamfara took the top spot in 2024, while Borno surged far ahead in 2025 with ₦32.83bn alone. Some states showed dramatic swings, with allocations plunging one year and rebounding the next, suggesting instability or inconsistencies in budgeting.
Regionally, the North East recorded the highest disclosed spending at ₦113.78bn, driven largely by Borno. The South East followed with ₦102.59bn, boosted by Anambra’s sharp increase. The South West recorded the lowest total over the three years, though its spending spiked significantly in 2025 due largely to Oyo and Ondo.
All of this comes against the backdrop of rising killings, kidnappings and destruction of property nationwide. Security votes, which are meant to fund intelligence gathering, emergency responses and sensitive operations, remain shrouded in secrecy. Critics argue that this lack of transparency makes them easy tools for political spending or personal enrichment rather than genuine security interventions.
Speaking on the issue, the National Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Groups, Jamilu Charanchi, questioned the value of the huge sums being spent. He noted that despite the billions allocated, communities still suffer from insecurity, poverty, poor roads, failing hospitals and weak education systems. According to him, poverty remains a major driver of insecurity, yet little seems to change on the ground.
President Bola Tinubu has also weighed in, stressing that well-governed states should not rely solely on federal agencies for security. He blamed the weakened local government system for Nigeria’s inability to tackle security threats effectively, arguing that local councils are closest to the people and best placed to respond quickly.
Organised labour has echoed similar concerns. In December 2025, the Nigeria Labour Congress warned that insecurity is draining household incomes and restricting movement, urging states and local governments to do more. Labour leaders insist that Nigerians deserve to see clear results from the huge security-related allocations being received every year.
As billions continue to be budgeted and insecurity deepens, many Nigerians are left asking the same question: where is the impact of the ₦525 billion spent in the name of security?
