By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria...
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have commended the decision of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Expenditure of All Intervention Funds on Security, led by Hon. Zakaria Nyampa, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all security intervention funds released by the Federal Government from 2020 to date.
This was contained in a statement signed by Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of TI-Nigeria.
According to the statement, the legislative move is aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in the disbursement and utilisation of funds meant to protect Nigerians and other nationals residing in the country. The organisation expressed hope that the National Assembly would conduct the exercise with the utmost sincerity, in line with its constitutionally guaranteed oversight responsibilities.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria noted that through its engagements across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, it has consistently advocated for transparency and accountability in the defence and security sectors to enhance financial, procurement, personnel, and operational efficiency.
The organisation, however, lamented the rising cases of corruption, illicit diversion of funds, financial mismanagement, and procurement racketeering within the sectors—factors it said have contributed to the underperformance of counter-terrorism and counter-violent extremism operations and the growing insecurity across the country.
“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, we encourage extended sub-national efforts by relevant stakeholders and oversight authorities, including State Houses of Assembly, to investigate and uncover how huge security allocations, often released to state governments under the ‘Security Vote,’ are being utilised,” the statement said.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria described the management of security votes as largely opaque, with widespread exposure to corruption and mismanagement that have worsened insecurity in various parts of the country.
The organisation reiterated its call for stronger civilian oversight mechanisms in defence and security governance to restore efficiency and best practices in financial, operational, and personnel management.
It emphasised that efficient oversight of the defence and security sectors remains crucial to ensuring transparency, preventing fraud, and promoting accountability, while strengthening institutions mandated to monitor compliance and ethical conduct.
The group also commended the committee’s decision to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office, the Office of the National Security Adviser, defence and police authorities, as well as anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC, and civil society watchdogs including CISLAC/TI-Nigeria.
In the same statement, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria congratulated the newly appointed service chiefs, commending particularly the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for his commitment to prioritising personnel welfare alongside improving national security.
The organisation recalled its long-standing advocacy for adequate remuneration, timely payment of allowances, and improved living conditions for security personnel and their families — including those who lost their lives in active service — to enhance operational efficiency and national safety.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria further urged that ongoing reforms in the defence sector be broadened to address poor welfare, inadequate training, corruption, indiscipline, and faulty recruitment processes that hinder operational effectiveness.
The group also called on the National Assembly to intensify reforms aimed at reducing corruption risks across procurement, financial, political, and personnel activities in the defence and security sectors.
It recommended a clear categorisation of classified and non-classified items in defence procurement, in line with international best practices, to enable effective external oversight.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria further advised the legislature to adopt targeted anti-corruption strategies, including asset recovery and repatriation mechanisms, while promoting citizen participation in the fight against corruption.
The organisation also urged the National Assembly to amend and harmonise conflicting provisions in the Freedom of Information Act—particularly Section 11(1)—and the Official Secrets Act to remove legal barriers that hinder civilian oversight of the defence and security sectors.
Finally, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria called on the Ministries of Defence and Interior, in collaboration with the National Assembly, relevant oversight bodies, and civil society organisations, to implement a comprehensive external oversight framework that includes risk-based auditing, whistle-blower protection, regular reviews, and continuous staff training.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s defence and security sectors to enhance efficiency and ensure the safety of lives and property nationwide.
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