President Bola Tinubu announced a major overhaul of Nigeria’s national security framework in the 2026 Budget, unveiling a new counterterrorism doctrine that designates all armed non-state actors operating outside state authority as terrorists.
Under the proposed budget, increased funding has been allocated to the modernisation of the Armed Forces, intelligence-driven policing, joint security operations, enhanced border security and technology enabled surveillance, as well as community-based peace building and conflict prevention.
The president said security spending in the 2026 fiscal year will be tied to clear accountability and measurable outcomes, stressing that investments must translate into concrete improvements in public safety.
He added that to strengthen national defence, priority will be placed on boosting the operational capability of the Armed Forces and other security agencies through increased personnel strength and the procurement of advanced platforms and hardware.
He also announced plans to reform the criminal justice system to effectively tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes.
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According to him the new national counterterrorism doctrine represents a fundamental reset of Nigeria’s security architecture, anchored on unified command, intelligence sharing, community stability and counter-insurgency operations.
Under the new framework, armed groups such as bandits, militias, armed gangs, violent cult groups, criminal networks, forest-based armed collectives and foreign-linked mercenaries will be classified as terrorists.
Individuals or groups engaging in violence for political, ethnic, financial or sectarian objectives will also fall under the terrorist designation.
He further warned that anyone found financing, harbouring, transporting or supplying arms to such groups, including ransom facilitators, political protectors and community enablers, will be treated as terrorists.
Tinubu stated that the measures are aimed at dismantling criminal networks, restoring public confidence and addressing violent threats that have heightened insecurity and anxiety across the country.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
