Liberian politician Simeon Freeman, leader of the Movement for Progressive Change, has made a claim that the National Security Agency's operational budget is US$18 million. This assertion was made during a live interview on Voice of Liberia on September 28, 2026. Freeman's statement has sparked interest and prompted verification efforts to determine the accuracy of the claim. The claim was made two hours, 23 minutes, and 30 seconds into the interview. DUBAWA, a fact-checking organization, has taken on the task of verifying Freeman's claim.
Upon being contacted by DUBAWA for evidence supporting his claim, Freeman did not respond at the time of writing. DUBAWA then proceeded to verify the claim by checking the 2026 National Budget published by the Ministry of Finance. The budget document provides detailed information on the allocations for various government agencies, including the National Security Agency. This approach ensured that the verification was based on official and publicly available information.
According to the 2026 National Budget, the NSA's budget is listed as US$22,190,628. This total includes US$3,690,628 for employees' compensation and US$18,500,000 for goods and services. The budget document is a comprehensive report that outlines the financial allocations for different government agencies and programs. The information about the NSA's budget can be found on page 182 of the budget document.
Reports from reputable sources, including Focus on Liberia and AllAfrica, have also verified the National Security Agency's allocation in the 2026 National Budget. These reports corroborate the findings that the NSA's budget is indeed US$22.19 million, not US$18 million as claimed by Freeman. The consistency in the information from multiple sources adds credibility to the verification.
The discrepancy between Freeman's claim and the actual budget allocation raises questions about the sources of information used by the politician. It also highlights the importance of fact-checking and verifying claims, especially those made by public figures. Accurate information is crucial for informed public discourse and decision-making.
The NSA's budget is a component of the overall national budget and reflects the government's priorities and commitments to national security. The allocation for goods and services, which stands at US$18.5 million, is a significant portion of the agency's budget. This funding is likely used to support the agency's operational activities and initiatives.
In conclusion, based on the 2026 National Budget, Simeon Freeman's claim that the NSA's operational budget is US$18 million is false. The actual budget is US$22.19 million. This verification process demonstrates the importance of fact-checking in ensuring the accuracy of information shared in the public domain.
Key points
- The NSA's 2026 operational budget is US$22.19 million, not US$18 million as claimed by Simeon Freeman.
- The 2026 National Budget allocates US$3,690,628 for NSA employees' compensation and US$18,500,000 for goods and services.
- Freeman's claim was disputed by multiple sources, including Focus on Liberia and AllAfrica.
