NO fewer than 10 state governors across Nigeria may receive a combined N140bn as security votes in 2026, following a sharp and consistent rise in the funds released for the controversial expenditure item over the past two years, News Point Nigeria‘s findings have revealed.
The projected figure is based on an analysis of states’ budget implementation reports and spending trends, amid worsening insecurity marked by persistent killings, kidnappings, and terror attacks across several parts of the country.
Findings by this newspaper showed that more than 30 states annually earmark between N300m and N32bn as security votes. However, a core group of 10 states; Borno, Plateau, Ondo, Ebonyi, Katsina, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Edo, Bayelsa and Delta have consistently accounted for the largest share of the allocations in recent years.
Budget performance data revealed that the 10 states disbursed about N80bn in 2024, representing 72.2 per cent of the N110.8bn budgeted for security votes that year.
In 2025, spending accelerated further. Within the first nine months alone, the same states released N87.87bn, accounting for nearly 69 per cent of the N127.36bn earmarked for security votes for the year. When annualised, the 2025 spending is projected to reach N117.2bn, marking an increase of about 46 per cent over the 2024 outturn.
If the current pace of disbursement continues, analysts estimate that security votes accruing to the top 10 states could rise to around N140bn in 2026.
Over the two-year period reviewed, Borno State recorded the highest security vote releases. In 2024, the state disbursed N9.24bn out of its N24bn allocation. The figure rose dramatically in 2025, with N41.59bn budgeted and N32.3bn released within the first three quarters.
Plateau State followed closely, releasing N18.9bn in 2024 and N17.28bn between January and September 2025. Ondo State released N10.2bn in 2024 and N7.76bn within the first nine months of 2025.
Other states also showed heavy spending patterns. In 2024, Katsina released N5.98bn, Nasarawa disbursed its entire N7bn, while Adamawa exceeded its budget by releasing N7.3bn against N7.2bn earmarked.
Ebonyi released the full N4.2bn, Edo paid out N12.38bn from N12.8bn, Bayelsa released N2bn from N8bn, while Delta disbursed N2.79bn out of N10.6bn.
In 2025, spending surged further in several states. Ebonyi released N4bn out of N6bn, Nasarawa disbursed N4.4bn, exceeding its N4bn budget, while Edo paid out N9.89bn from N11.3bn.
Security votes are funds allocated annually to governors to address security emergencies, intelligence gathering and rapid-response operations.
However, the funds are typically released outside detailed line-item budgeting and are not subjected to comprehensive public accounting, a practice that has drawn sustained criticism from civil society groups and fiscal transparency advocates.
Concerns persist that the funds are routinely diverted, mismanaged or used for political patronage, rather than deployed strictly for security purposes.
Speaking with this newspaper, a Professor of Criminology and Security Studies at Adekunle Ajasin University, Prof Sigismund Akinbulumo, called for stronger transparency and oversight mechanisms.
He said rising allocations must be matched with clear disclosure of utilisation and measurable security outcomes, including reduced violence, faster response times and clearer reporting on how the funds support security operations.
Akinbulumo warned that continued increases without visible results could further deepen public skepticism.
Reacting to the rising funds flowing to states, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused governors of failing to translate increased allocations into improved living conditions for Nigerians.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi said governors were receiving more money than any previous generation due to the removal of fuel subsidy, yet ordinary Nigerians were not feeling the impact.
“The governors, by the president’s own declaration, have received more money than any president has ever given governors in our history. How has that reflected in the improved livelihood of the people?” Abdullahi asked.
He added that while not all governors had failed, the overall picture suggested that increased revenues had not translated into better welfare or security for citizens.
Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed fuel subsidy in May 2023, allocations to states have surged. Several governors have publicly acknowledged the increase.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori recently admitted that states were receiving more funds from FAAC.
“There is money. Use the money, as we are using it in our state, so that the people will be very happy,” Oborevwori said during the launch of the N39.3bn Otovwodo flyover project.
President Tinubu had earlier told APC governors that allocations to states had tripled, while the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, disclosed that allocations to the 36 states rose from N3.8tn to N7.1tn under the current administration.
As security votes continue to rise, pressure is mounting on governors to demonstrate tangible security improvements and provide greater accountability for how the billions allocated in the name of security are spent.