The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the Nigerian chapter of Transparency International (TI), has renewed calls for transparency and accountability in the management of defence and security funds as the world marks United Nations Anti-Corruption Day.
In a statement on Tuesday, the organisation’s Executive Director and Head of TI-Nigeria, Auwal Rafsanjani, urged the Federal Government, National Assembly, security agencies and anti-corruption bodies to prioritise open governance in the security sector.
CISLAC emphasised the need for full disclosure of defence procurement processes and audited expenditure records in line with global standards. It also stressed the importance of strengthened legislative oversight to ensure that security budgets and operational performance are independently scrutinised.
The organisation called for an independent defence procurement audit system to curb contract inflation, fictitious projects and the misuse of funds. It further asked the government to implement comprehensive security sector reforms, including strict disciplinary measures for officers involved in bribery, extortion, collusion with criminal groups or any form of operational misconduct.
CISLAC noted that improved welfare, insurance coverage and adequate equipment for frontline personnel were vital to boosting morale and enhancing operational capacity. It also underscored the need for better intelligence sharing and inter-agency cooperation to close gaps exploited by criminal elements.
The group demanded stronger protection for whistle-blowers to encourage the reporting of corruption within the defence and security architecture.
According to CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, Nigeria cannot overcome insecurity without first confronting corruption at the centre of its security institutions. No level of military spending or sophisticated equipment, it said, would yield results if funds continue to be diverted amid weak oversight and entrenched impunity.
The organisation said the safety of Nigerians must never be compromised by corruption, political interests or institutional negligence. It reaffirmed its commitment to working with government, parliament, security agencies and citizens to promote reforms that enhance accountability, strengthen national security and rebuild public trust.
Nigeria, CISLAC added, deserves a secure, just and prosperous future—one that can only be achieved by tackling corruption within the country’s security framework.
