Retired Lieutenant General [Tukur Buratai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tukur_Buratai), who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, clarified to attendees at the [Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN)](https://www.defencecorrespondents.org) conference and awards ceremony in Abuja on Monday that the US$1 billion set aside for arms procurement during his command was never transferred into any individual service account.
**Key points from the address**
- The earmarked sum of one billion dollars was intended for modernising the armed forces but, according to Buratai, no payment was ever made to private accounts.
- He made the statement while delivering the keynote lecture on technology, intelligence‑led operations and Nigeria’s national security.
- Buratai warned that debates on defence spending must rest on factual information about funding routes and institutional duties.
- He highlighted the urgency of investing in advanced equipment, artificial intelligence, and integrated command systems to bolster surveillance, intelligence analysis and operational decision‑making.
- The conference, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence‑Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” also launched DECAN’s inaugural magazine, *The Defence Correspondent*.
**Why the clarification matters**
Buratai argued that transparent handling of procurement funds is essential for building public trust and ensuring that resources reach the intended defence projects. He urged the military and government to focus on technology‑driven solutions to address Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
**What he advocated**
The retired general called for greater adoption of AI‑enabled tools and integrated command platforms to improve real‑time surveillance and rapid response capabilities across the armed forces.
*“Discussions on defence procurement should be grounded in accurate information about funding channels and institutional responsibilities,”* Buratai said during his speech.