Nigeria’s Defence Minister Says ₦5.41tn Budget Covers Weapons and Troop Pay

Nigeria’s defence minister Christopher Musa said the country’s ₦5.41tn defence and security allocation must cover equipment purchases and troop remuneration. He said advanced weapons are expensive, citing a Tomahawk missile at $3.2 million and a precision drone munition at least $100,000. Musa said Nigeria already produces mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, is building drones, and has more defence companies coming online. He added that the government is working to make the country’s air-defence system “iron-tight.” President Bola Tinubu’s official 2026 budget speech set defence and security spending at ₦5.41tn.