Nigerian state governors have allocated a combined N525.23 billion to security votes and related operations between 2023 and 2025, according to an analysis of approved budget documents extracted from the Open States platform, underscoring widening fiscal commitments to security even as killings, kidnappings and other violent crimes continue unabated.
The figures cover 32 states with disclosed allocations, excluding Gombe, Kebbi, Niger and Yobe which did not publish clear security vote data.
The analysis shows that states collectively set aside N150.47 billion in 2023, N164.07 billion in 2024, and N210.68 billion in 2025 for security votes — reflecting a year-on-year increase and a sharp overall rise of nearly 40 per cent over the three fiscal years analysed.
Security votes are special budgetary allocations intended to fund state-level intelligence, logistics and rapid response to threats, and to compensate for perceived gaps in federal security provisions.
Governors have maintained that the escalating wave of kidnappings, banditry, armed robbery and other forms of violence has compelled them to prioritise internal security spending.
Borno State emerged with the highest security vote total over the period, spending N57.40 billion, largely related to ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
Anambra State followed with N42.57 billion, boosted by a dramatic increase from an initially minor allocation in 2023. Other leading spenders included Delta (N38.44 billion) and Benue (N36.87 billion).
By contrast, some states reported minimal security vote allocations, with Rivers State disclosing only N210 million, Akwa Ibom N624 million, and Ekiti N3.1 million over the three years — reflecting wide disparities in budget reporting practices and priorities.
Analysts note that the rising security vote budgets coincide with persistent insecurity nationwide, where violence continues despite growing expenditure at the sub-national level.
Observers have questioned the efficacy and transparency of these allocations given the continued spread of violence and high levels of insecurity experienced by citizens.
Critics argue that while the responsibility for national security constitutionally rests with the Federal Government, the scale and persistence of threats have pushed governors to take supplementary measures using security votes.
However, secrecy surrounding disbursements and limited public oversight have attracted criticism, with calls for enhanced accountability and result-oriented spending.
Regional breakdowns show the North East accounted for the largest share of disclosed spending, while the South East, South South, North Central, North West and South West recorded varying levels of allocations reflective of local security priorities and budgetary transparency.
The substantial investment in security votes by states — amid ongoing killings, kidnappings and other violent incidents — underscores persistent challenges in Nigeria’s security landscape and highlights the pressing need for coordinated federal, state and community-level solutions to protect lives and property.
Implications: The surge in security vote allocations, juxtaposed with continued violence, raises questions about the effectiveness of current security strategies, oversight mechanisms and coordination between federal and state authorities.
Continued public concern and scrutiny may shape budgetary and security policy debates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
