In an emphatic display of determination, Nigeria’s government and military leadership have closed out 2025 with a unified message: security will take center stage in 2026, and criminal elements—from bandits to terrorists—should expect no leniency. This renewed stance was underscored in two pivotal events: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly and the Guards Brigade’s resolute declaration during their annual ascent of Aso Rock in Abuja.
On December 19, President Tinubu addressed lawmakers in a joint session, unveiling a budget he described as the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.” According to reporting by Zagazola Makama, Tinubu made it clear that national security is not just a priority, but the bedrock of Nigeria’s future development. “National security remains the foundation of Nigeria’s development,” he stated, vowing that his administration would “show no mercy to terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and all armed non-state actors threatening the country’s stability.”
The president’s words were not mere rhetoric. The proposed 2026 budget earmarks a substantial N5.41 trillion for defence and security—a figure intended to boost the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces and allied agencies. The government’s plan, Tinubu explained, is multi-pronged: modernize military equipment, deepen intelligence-driven policing, enhance border security through technology, and expand community-based peacebuilding efforts. The focus, he said, is on “resetting the national security architecture” and introducing a new counter-terrorism doctrine anchored on unified command, intelligence coordination, community stability, and counter-insurgency.
Tinubu did not mince words about the scope of the crackdown. Under the new doctrine, “any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actor operating outside state authority will be regarded as terrorists.” This, he elaborated, includes “bandits, militias, armed gangs, violent cults, forest-based armed groups and foreign-linked mercenaries.” The message: no group, however organized or clandestine, will be exempt from the government’s zero-tolerance policy.
Security, however, is not the budget’s only focus. The president highlighted several positive economic indicators from 2025: the economy grew by 3.98% in the third quarter, inflation fell for eight consecutive months to 14.45% in November, oil production improved, non-oil revenues expanded, and investor confidence rebounded. Notably, external reserves reached about $47 billion—a seven-year high—providing over ten months of import cover. Tinubu presented these gains as evidence that, while “recent economic reforms had been difficult, they were already yielding measurable results.”
The 2026 budget itself is ambitious. It projects total revenue of N34.33 trillion and total expenditure of N58.18 trillion, including N15.52 trillion for debt servicing. The anticipated deficit of N23.85 trillion represents 4.28% of GDP. Other key allocations include N3.56 trillion for infrastructure, N3.52 trillion for education, and N2.48 trillion for health. The budget is anchored on a conservative oil benchmark of $64.85 per barrel, daily production of 1.84 million barrels, and an exchange rate of N1,400 to the U.S. dollar.
Tinubu was candid about the challenges ahead. Reviewing the 2025 budget, he noted that revenue stood at N18.6 trillion (61% of target), while expenditure reached N24.66 trillion (60% of projection as of Q3). He pledged that 2026 would bring “stronger fiscal discipline,” with strict adherence to budget details and timelines, improved revenue mobilisation, digitisation of government collections, and tighter oversight of government-owned enterprises. “Beyond announcements, the real test lies in delivery,” Tinubu said, promising better spending focused on measurable projects and stronger accountability through procurement and monitoring reforms.
The president called on the National Assembly to partner with the Executive in realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda. “The 2026 budget is not one of promises but of consolidation, renewed resilience and shared prosperity,” he declared, formally laying the Appropriation Bill before the legislators.
Just a day later, the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army echoed this uncompromising tone during their annual ascent of Aso Rock—a tradition marking the end of the formation’s training activities for the year. Addressing officers and soldiers, Brigade Commander Brigadier-General Adebisi Onasanya issued a stern warning: “No part of [our] operational area will be allowed to serve as a safe haven in 2026.” According to Naija News, Onasanya detailed the brigade’s successes in 2025, which included increased operational engagements beyond their traditional role of protecting the President. The brigade conducted clearance operations in Bwari, Abaji, Gwagwalada, and parts of Niger State, resulting in multiple arrests, recovery of weapons, and the neutralisation of bandits.
“At the beginning of the year, we had a lot of bandits lurking around. We carried out a series of clearance operations from Bwari to Abaji, Gwagwalada and parts of Niger State,” Onasanya recounted. “We made a lot of arrests, recovered weapons and neutralised several bandits.” He emphasized that any criminal elements attempting to disrupt peace within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law.
Onasanya attributed the brigade’s effectiveness to sustained collaboration with other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Navy, and the Nigerian Air Force. This inter-agency cooperation, he said, had “continued to strengthen security operations within Abuja and its surrounding areas.”
The commander also praised his troops for their dedication and professionalism, noting that the Guards Brigade recorded no issues related to discipline or commitment in 2025. “We have another year ahead of us. As we go into 2026, we must be even more committed,” he urged. “In line with the President’s declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector, we must ensure we give our full support. As Guards Brigade, we are always ready and loyal to commit ourselves to the best of our ability.”
Onasanya reassured residents of Abuja and its environs that the Guards Brigade would maintain a high level of operational readiness in the year ahead. “No stone will be left unturned. Any bandits or criminals who think they can use our area of responsibility as a safe haven will not find it easy,” he warned. The Guards Brigade, responsible for the protection of the President and critical national assets within the FCT and surrounding areas, appears poised to enforce the government’s tough new security posture.
As 2026 dawns, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether these promises of “no safe haven” and “no mercy” for criminals translate into lasting peace and stability. With record allocations for security, a sharpened doctrine against armed groups, and a military leadership vowing unrelenting vigilance, the coming year could mark a turning point in the nation’s long struggle against insecurity.