States across Nigeria have earmarked a combined ₦525.23 billion for security votes and related operations between 2023 and 2025, a move aimed at bolstering internal security amid persistent kidnappings, killings and other violent crimes.

According to an analysis of approved budget documents from Open States, a BudgIT-backed public budget data platform, the total disclosed allocation for security votes rose significantly over the three-year period.

Growth in Security Vote Allocations

Data shows that states collectively approved:

• ₦150.47bn in 2023
• ₦164.07bn in 2024
• ₦210.68bn in 2025

This reflects an increase of about 9.04% between 2023 and 2024 and a much steeper 28.4% jump between 2024 and 2025. In total terms, the 2025 allocations were over ₦60bn higher than in 2023, highlighting the rapid expansion of security funding at the state level.

Biggest Security Vote Spenders

A handful of states account for the bulk of the budgeted funds. Over the period:

• Borno State recorded the highest total at ₦57.40bn, driven by ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
• Anambra State’s allocation surged sharply from under ₦200m in 2023 to ₦17.28bn in 2024 and ₦25.10bn in 2025.
• Other high spenders included Delta (₦38.44bn), Benue (₦36.87bn), Ondo (₦31.72bn), Zamfara (₦31.40bn), Edo (₦29.21bn), Adamawa (₦27.00bn) and Bauchi (₦25.41bn).

At the lower end, Rivers State reported only ₦210m in security vote over the three years, Akwa Ibom disclosed ₦624m, and Ekiti listed a very small ₦3.1m, showing wide disparities in how states record and prioritise security funding.

Regional Breakdown

State security vote allocations also vary significantly by region:

• North East accounted for the largest share with ₦113.78bn, largely led by Borno’s spending.
• South East followed with ₦102.59bn, boosted by Anambra’s sharp rise.
• South South recorded ₦98.36bn, and North Central had ₦76.57bn.
• North West disclosed ₦70.77bn, while the South West had the lowest total at ₦63.16bn, although its 2025 figures rose sharply.

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Questions on Effectiveness and Accountability

The large allocations come as insecurity continues to worsen in many communities across the country, raising concerns about the efficacy and transparency of security votes. Although these funds are meant to support intelligence gathering, crisis response and emergency operations, critics argue that the secrecy and lack of oversight surrounding their use has long attracted controversy.

Analysts and civil society groups have often questioned whether security votes actually strengthen safety or end up being used for political purposes or personal enrichment. Without clear public accountability, it can be difficult to assess whether the funds translate into tangible improvements for citizens facing violent crime.