Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has stated that the $1 billion approved for defence procurement during his tenure was released to the Ministry of Defence, not directly to the Nigerian Army, Navy or Air Force.
Buratai made the clarification on Monday, October 12, 2026, while speaking at the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) Conference and Awards Ceremony in Abuja.
He explained that the funds were approved by the National Economic Council (NEC) and did not pass through his personal hands or the accounts of the three military services.
The retired general described allegations surrounding the funds as politically motivated, saying they first emerged during the 2019 election period, when opposition figures alleged that the money had been diverted for electoral purposes.
Buratai maintained that the Ministry of Defence handled the procurement process and should provide answers regarding how the funds were disbursed and how contracts were awarded.
He expressed concern that the controversy had continued to affect the reputations of military service chiefs, despite the government’s reported response to the allegations at the time.
Calling for greater accountability in defence spending, Buratai proposed establishing a Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to publish information about contracts, contracting entities and delivery timelines, subject to national security restrictions.
He also recommended quarterly accountability reports on military disciplinary proceedings involving alleged human rights violations and operational misconduct. He stressed that credible allegations should be investigated and prosecuted where substantiated.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan called for a dedicated percentage of Nigeria’s revenue to fund the Armed Forces and other security agencies, arguing that sustained investment was necessary to strengthen the country’s security capabilities.
Defence Minister Christopher Musa, represented at the event by Air Commodore Steven Ogunmodede (retd.), emphasized the importance of intelligence-led operations, technological investment and cooperation among security institutions in addressing Nigeria’s increasingly complex security challenges.
Buratai’s comments have renewed attention on the management of the $1 billion defence procurement fund, with the former army chief urging that questions about its disbursement be directed to the ministry responsible for administering it.
