Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has declared a sweeping, no-holds-barred offensive against terrorism and violent crime, vowing that his administration will show “no mercy” to perpetrators and their sponsors. The hardline stance was announced as the centerpiece of a proposed N58.18 trillion 2026 national budget presented to a joint session of the National Assembly on Friday.
The budget, titled ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,’ allocates a historic N5.41 trillion to Defence and Security—the largest single sectoral allocation for the third consecutive year. President Tinubu stated this funding reflects an uncompromising resolve to make security the non-negotiable foundation for national development.
“We will show no mercy,” the President told lawmakers. “We will usher in a new era of criminal justice. We will act firmly against those who commit or support acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and other violent crimes.”
In a significant policy shift, the President announced a complete reset of the nation’s security architecture, introducing a new national counter-terrorism doctrine. The strategy is built on four pillars: unified command, enhanced intelligence gathering, community stability, and decisive counter-insurgency operations.
A key component of the new doctrine is the broad classification of all armed non-state actors as terrorists. “Any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actors operating outside the state’s authority will be regarded as terrorists,” President Tinubu declared. This designation will apply to bandits, militias, armed gangs, violent cults, and foreign-linked criminal networks, making them legitimate targets for security operations. The government also pledged to pursue individuals and networks financing violence for political or sectarian ends.
Presenting the fiscal plan, President Tinubu outlined major allocations following defence: Infrastructure (N3.56tn), Education (N3.52tn), and Health & Social Services (N2.48tn). He emphasized their interdependence, stating, “Without security, investments will not thrive. Without education and healthy citizens, productivity will not rise.”
The budget is based on a crude oil benchmark of $64.85 per barrel, production of 1.8 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of N1,400 per US dollar. Total revenue is projected at N34.33 trillion, with a deficit of N23.85 trillion (4.28% of GDP).
In a major administrative reform, President Tinubu declared an end to Nigeria’s practice of overlapping fiscal calendars. He requested the National Assembly’s approval to extend the 2025 capital budget implementation to March 31, 2026, to clear all existing project liabilities.
“By March 3, 2026, all capital liabilities from previous years will be fully funded and closed,” he asserted. “From April, Nigeria will operate on a single budget backed by a single revenue cycle. No overlaps, no excuses, no rollovers.”
Acknowledging the economic hardships caused by ongoing reforms, the President assured citizens that the tough measures were necessary for long-term stability and shared prosperity. “The message of this budget is clear: stability has been restored, confidence rebuilt,” said Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, echoing the sentiment.
The budget now moves to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.
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TINUBU DECLARES “NO MERCY” FOR TERRORISTS, UNVEILS SECURITY OVERHAUL IN N58.18 TRILLION 2026 BUDGET
