States across Nigeria earmarked a combined N525.23bn for security votes and related operations between 2023 and 2025, according to an analysis of approved budget documents obtained from Open States, a BudgIT-backed data platform. The rising allocations come amid worsening insecurity nationwide, raising concerns about the effectiveness and accountability of the spending as citizens continue to face kidnappings, banditry and violent attacks.
The analysis, covering 32 states, shows that security vote allocations increased steadily over the three years, from N150.47bn in 2023 to N164.07bn in 2024, before surging sharply to N210.68bn in 2025. This represents a 9.04 per cent rise between 2023 and 2024, followed by a much steeper 28.4 per cent increase in 2025. Overall, security vote spending grew by more than 40 per cent within the period.
A handful of states accounted for a large share of the total. Borno State topped the list with N57.40bn over three years, reflecting sustained counterinsurgency efforts in the North East. Anambra followed with N42.57bn, driven by a dramatic jump from less than N200m in 2023 to over N25bn in 2025. Delta (N38.44bn) and Benue (N36.87bn) also ranked among the highest spenders, alongside Ondo, Zamfara and Edo.
Yearly patterns show significant shifts in spending priorities. In 2023, Bauchi recorded the highest allocation at N17.39bn, while Zamfara led in 2024 with N17.40bn. By 2025, spending widened sharply, with Borno allocating N32.83bn, far ahead of other states, followed by Anambra and Oyo, the latter recording a dramatic jump from modest allocations in previous years.
The figures also reveal wide disparities and transparency gaps. Some states, including Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Ekiti, disclosed very small amounts, while Gombe, Kebbi, Niger and Yobe did not clearly publish their security vote figures, suggesting the true total may be higher. Regionally, the North East emerged as the biggest spender, accounting for N113.78bn of the disclosed total, underlining the persistent security pressures in the region despite rising budgetary commitments.
