Tukur Buratai calls for transparency in Nigerian defence procurement

Former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has urged the Ministry of Defence to publish procurement records to resolve a long-standing controversy regarding $1 billion in defence funds. Speaking at the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) conference in Abuja, Buratai clarified that the funds approved by the National Economic Council were released directly to the Ministry of Defence and did not pass through his hands or the accounts of the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

Buratai characterized the allegations of fund diversion—which first emerged during the 2019 election period—as “political and malicious.” He noted that while the Federal Government previously refuted claims that the money was used for electoral purposes, the controversy has continued to damage the reputations of service chiefs.

To improve accountability, Buratai proposed the creation of a Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to disclose contract categories, contractors, and delivery timelines, subject to national security restrictions. He also recommended quarterly accountability bulletins regarding court martial outcomes involving human rights violations and operational conduct.