$1bn Arms Fund: Former Army Chief Calls for Procurement Records, Questions Ministry’s Silence
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), has called on the Ministry of Defence to provide greater transparency over the $1 billion approved for military equipment procurement during his tenure, insisting that the funds were managed by the ministry rather than the Nigerian Army or other military services. Buratai, who addressed the controversy surrounding the money, said neither he nor the accounts of the Army, Navy and Air Force received the funds, arguing that accountability should rest with the institution responsible for administering them.
Buratai said the allegations of diversion, which gained prominence during the 2019 election period, continued to affect the reputations of former service chiefs despite the Federal Government’s response at the time. He faulted the Ministry of Defence for failing to publicly clarify how the money was disbursed and how procurement contracts were awarded. To address similar controversies in the future, he proposed a defence procurement transparency portal that would publish contract categories, the identities of contracting entities and delivery timelines, subject to national security restrictions.
He also advocated quarterly accountability reports covering military disciplinary proceedings involving alleged human rights violations and operational misconduct. Buratai maintained that credible allegations against security personnel should be investigated and prosecuted where evidence supports the claims, stressing the importance of transparent disciplinary procedures. He argued that improved communication by the military and the defence ministry would help strengthen public confidence and provide clearer explanations of security operations.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan called for a dedicated share of national revenue to fund the Armed Forces and other security agencies, arguing that adequate resources were essential to strengthening national security. Defence Minister Christopher Musa, represented by retired Air Commodore Steven Ogunmodede, emphasised the need for intelligence-led operations, modern technology and stronger coordination among security institutions. He noted that technological investments must be supported by trained personnel and sound operational planning to improve the military’s ability to respond to evolving security threats.
