President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a 30 to 80 percent salary increase for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces has drawn mixed reactions from opposition parties.
The new salary package, which takes effect from September 1, 2026, will affect about 250,000 military personnel and increase annual personnel costs from N660 billion to N924 billion.
Under the new structure, officers above the rank of colonel will receive a 30 per cent increase, personnel from colonel to warrant officer will get 50 per cent, while soldiers from private to staff sergeant will receive an 80 per cent increase.
The Social Democratic Party and New Nigeria People’s Party welcomed the move, describing improved remuneration as necessary for boosting troop morale and national security.
However, the Labour Party and Obidient Movement questioned the timing of the announcement, suggesting that the decision could have political motives.
SDP National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said his party would not politicise policies aimed at improving national security, stressing that the focus should be on the results of the intervention.
NNPP National Chairman, Major Agbo, also dismissed concerns over the timing, saying the welfare of security personnel should not be subjected to political considerations.
The Obidient Movement and Labour Party, however, expressed reservations about the President’s motives while acknowledging that improved welfare for military personnel was long overdue.
Meanwhile, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Border Communities Development Agency Director-General, Abdulrazak Namdas, praised the salary increase, saying it would boost troop morale and strengthen national security.
Namdas also welcomed the planned expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, describing the measures as strategic investments in national security.
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