President Bola Tinubu has approved a salary increase of between 30 and 80 per cent for about 250,000 Armed Forces personnel, raising the military’s annual wage bill from N660bn to N924bn, the biggest upward review under his administration. The new structure takes effect September 1, 2026.
Junior personnel benefit most: soldiers from private to staff sergeant get an 80 per cent increase, warrant officers to colonels get 50 per cent, and brigadier-generals to generals get 30 per cent.
The Presidency said the review recognises the sacrifices of troops fighting terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, and reaffirmed commitment to troop welfare and military modernisation. President Tinubu 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.”
The increase comes two weeks after Tinubu restructured the Nigerian Army into four additional divisions.
Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), commended the approval as a major boost to troop welfare and operational effectiveness.
Retired senior officers largely welcomed the move but urged the government to complement it with better weapons, logistics, and healthcare. Retired Brig. Gen. George Emdin cautioned that “until we see the implementation, one cannot say much,” citing past welfare pledges that fell short.
Serving personnel expressed cautious optimism, saying they would celebrate once the increase reflects in their accounts. One officer shared that a 50 per cent raise would take his monthly salary from N362,405.67 to N543,608.51.
The review follows earlier increases to the lowest-ranked soldier’s salary (from N50,000 to N100,000) and a recent ultimatum from retired personnel demanding a minimum soldier salary of N250,000.
Senate leaders, including Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua and Senator Ahmad Lawan, praised the pay rise as a timely and strategic move, pledging continued support for full implementation.
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