In a renewed show of commitment to national security, the Nigerian Senate has pledged enhanced legislative collaboration with the Nigerian Army (NA) and the executive arm of government to ensure the Army receives the necessary resources to maintain peace and stability across the country. This assurance came on Thursday, 31 July 2025, when the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, led members of the committee on an oversight visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
The visit was formally acknowledged in a press release signed by Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, on 31 July 2025. The statement underscored the significance of the Senate Committee’s oversight role and the Army’s commitment to transparency and accountability in executing its mandate.
Speaking during the visit, Senator Yar’Adua stated that the tour of Army formations nationwide formed part of the committee’s oversight responsibilities, particularly in tracking the implementation of the 2023 and 2024 Appropriation Acts. He emphasized that the engagement aimed to ensure that public funds are judiciously utilized and that projects funded by the federal government are executed in line with approved specifications.
The Senate Committee Chairman commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for the orderly and professional coordination of the committee’s inspection tours. According to him, the visits have provided the lawmakers with valuable insights into the Army’s operational readiness, infrastructural development, and challenges on the ground.
Senator Yar’Adua also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to national security and assured that the Senate would continue to support the Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Army, in the discharge of its constitutional duties.
In his remarks, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his consistent and exceptional support to the Armed Forces. He also appreciated the Senate Committee on Army for its active and continued engagement with the military, which he described as a vital pillar for effective national defense.
General Oluyede highlighted the sacrifices made by officers and soldiers in securing the nation and drew attention to critical challenges facing the Army, including inadequate accommodation for troops, limited operational assets, and other logistical constraints. He advocated for increased budgetary allocation and urged lawmakers to support the removal of the Army from the envelope budgeting system to allow for more responsive and realistic funding that matches the evolving security landscape.
The oversight visit ended with renewed assurances from both sides of a stronger partnership aimed at securing Nigeria and enhancing the capacity of the Army to meet its constitutional responsibilities.
