President Bola Tinubu has approved a salary increase of between 30 and 80 per cent for about 250,000 personnel of the Armed Forces, raising the military’s annual wage bill from N660bn to N924bn in what is the biggest upward review of military salaries under his administration.
The new pay structure, which takes effect from September 1, 2026, grants the highest increases to junior personnel, with soldiers from the rank of private to staff sergeant receiving an 80 per cent salary increase, warrant officers to colonels getting 50 per cent, while brigadier-generals to generals will earn 30 per cent more.
Announcing the package on Tuesday, the Presidency said the salary review was in recognition of the sacrifices military personnel continue to make in the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, adding that the administration would continue to prioritise troop welfare and modernise the Armed Forces with advanced weapons and technology.
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The announcement drew widespread commendation from retired senior military officers, who described the pay rise as a major morale booster capable of improving troop commitment, recruitment and operational effectiveness. They, however, urged the Federal Government to ensure prompt implementation and complement the salary review with modern weapons, improved logistics, accommodation, healthcare and other welfare packages.
Serving military personnel also welcomed the development but said they would reserve judgment until the new salaries are reflected in their bank accounts, stressing that effective implementation would be the true measure of the government’s commitment to troop welfare.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Tuesday, said the graduated structure of the increase scales inversely with rank, with the highest percentage increases going to the most junior personnel.
The pay package will raise the annual salary bill for the armed forces from N660bn to N924bn, an increase of N264 billion.
The President linked the pay rise directly to the sacrifices personnel continue to make in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across parts of the country.
He said, “The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation.”
Tinubu said troop welfare and military modernisation would remain a standing priority of his administration.
“Our administration will continue to prioritise troop welfare and modernise the armed forces by providing the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties,” he stated.
Tinubu argued that the salary increase is tied to his broader philosophy on national security.
According to him, “Our administration believes that no nation can achieve greatness without security. We therefore remain resolute in mobilising all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.”
To the benefiting personnel, he said, “I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland.”
“Together we shall prevail over the enemies intent on destroying the fabric of our nation,” the President added.
The pay increase, the most significant upward revision of military salaries under the current administration, comes barely two weeks after Tinubu restructured the Nigerian Army into four additional divisions aimed at improving response times to regional security threats.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), commended the President for approving a new salary structure for members of the Armed Forces, describing the move as a major boost to troop welfare and operational effectiveness.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, Musa said the approval reflected Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel and strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, adding that the new package would increase the annual personnel cost of the Armed Forces from N660bn to N924bn.
“The President has once again demonstrated unwavering leadership and empathy for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line daily to preserve the peace and territorial integrity of our nation,” Musa said.
He said the salary review would help reduce financial pressures on troops and boost morale among personnel deployed in various theatres of operation, including the North-East, where they are battling insurgency, as well as other areas affected by banditry, kidnapping and crude oil theft.
Musa assured the President that the military would reciprocate the gesture through greater dedication, discipline and improved operational performance.
He urged officers and soldiers to view the enhanced remuneration as a renewed call to duty, charging them to intensify efforts to tackle security threats, protect lives and restore stability across the country.
The minister also reaffirmed the commitment of the Defence Ministry to supporting ongoing efforts to modernise military equipment, strengthen technological capabilities and improve the welfare of personnel and their families.
Extracted from The Punch
