President Bola Tinubu has approved an upward review of salaries of about 250,000 personnel of the Armed Forces, increasing the military’s annual wage bill from N660bn to N924bn in what is the biggest upward review of military salaries under his administration.
Under the new pay structure, which takes effect from September 1, 2026, the highest increases are for junior personnel, with soldiers from the rank of private to staff sergeant getting an 80 per cent salary increase, warrant officers to colonels getting 50 per cent, and brigadier-generals to generals earning 30 per cent more.
The Presidency on Tuesday announced the package, saying the review was in recognition of the sacrifices the military personnel continue to make in the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, adding that the administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of troops and modernise the Armed Forces with advanced weapons and technology.
The announcement was widely welcomed by retired senior military officers who said the pay increase was a big morale booster that could enhance troop commitment, recruitment and operational effectiveness. They however, called on the Federal Government to ensure swift implementation and compliment the salary review with modern weapons, improved logistics, accommodation, healthcare and other welfare packages.
The development was also welcomed by the serving military personnel but said they would reserve their judgment until the new salaries are reflected in their bank accounts and stressed that the real test for the government’s commitment to the troop welfare would be how effectively the new salaries are implemented.
The graduated structure of the increase scaled inversely with rank, with the highest percentage increases going to the most junior personnel, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The pay package will increase the annual salary bill for the armed forces from N660bn to N924bn, an increase of N264 billion.
The pay rise was linked directly to the sacrifices personnel continue to make in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across parts of the country, the President said.
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.
“Troop welfare and military modernisation will continue to be a standing priority of my administration,” Tinubu said.
“Our administration will continue to give priority to the welfare of the troops and modernise the armed forces by giving them the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties,” he stated.
The salary increase is linked to the wider philosophy Tinubu has on national security, he argued.
“We believe that no nation can achieve greatness without security,” he said. “Our administration has taken the position that security is the foundation upon which greatness is built. We remain resolute in deploying all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.”
He told the benefiting personnel, “I call on our servicemen to see our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland.”
We shall together overcome the enemies determined to destroy the fabric of our nation,” the President added.
The pay hike, the biggest upward adjustment to military pay under the current administration, comes only two weeks after Tinubu restructured the Nigerian Army into four additional divisions designed to boost response times to regional security threats.
Military morale lifter
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.) commended the President for approving a new salary structure for members of the Armed Forces, saying the move was a major boost to troop’s welfare and operational effectiveness.
Musa said in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, that the approval was a reflection of 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.
Musa said: “Once again, the President has shown strong leadership and empathy for the brave men and women who risk their lives every day to preserve the peace and the territorial integrity of our nation.
He said the review of the salary would help to alleviate the financial pressures on troops and boost the morale of personnel deployed in various theatres of operation including the North-East where they are battling insurgency and other areas affected by banditry, kidnapping and crude oil theft.
Musa told the President that the military would respond to the gesture by showing more commitment, discipline and better operational performance.
He urged officers and soldiers to see the improved remuneration as a renewed call to duty, urging them to redouble efforts to address security threats, protect lives and restore stability across the country.
The minister also reiterated the Defence Ministry’s commitment to ongoing efforts to modernise military equipment, strengthen technological capabilities and improve the welfare of personnel and their families.
Former military chiefs respond
Retired senior military officers have lauded President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a 30 to 80 per cent salary increase for Armed Forces personnel, terming it a major morale booster while urging the Federal Government to complement the package with better equipment, logistics and improved welfare.
Retired Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, a former Director of Army Public Relations, said the decision was timely, adding that no amount of money could be enough for the soldiers in the course of defending the country.
He said military personnel deserve to be among best-paid public servants because of the hazardous nature of their duties and the sacrifices they make in combating insurgency, terrorism and other security threats.
“The question is not whether it is sufficient or not. How much do you think you can pay a soldier to be sufficient? I don’t think you can measure the sacrifices or the life of a soldier. Due to the nature of their work and the sacrifices they make, soldiers are supposed to be among the best-paid public servants in Nigeria.
“If you consider their participation in counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and other internal security operations and the level of deprivation they go through, you will know why. This move really merits commendation to the President. “An 80 per cent increment will go a long way especially considering the inflationary trend in the country,” he said.
Usman said the approval was a demonstration that the government was living up to its promises with action, adding that the Minister of Defence had earlier alluded to an upward salary review.
This was hinted at some time ago by the Minister of Defence and it is good that actions are now matching words. “It provides a sense of belonging to the troops and that the government is listening and responding to their welfare concerns,” he said.
Retired Commodore Omatseye Nesiama described the salary increase as a welcome development, stating that the development would help bridge existing disparities in military remuneration.
However, he stressed that further adjustments were needed to bridge gaps across the various ranks, especially among senior officers.
“It is a welcome development. There is a great need for a bridging strategy. However, on closer scrutiny, there has always been a disproportionate gap even between the ranks of senior officers and that also needs to be addressed. The increase should be extended to all security agencies in the country in my opinion, because they are all exposed to the same risks in terms of security and economic challenges,” he said.
Also reacting, retired Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinbi said the salary increase would boost troop morale significantly, improve commitment and make military service more attractive to young Nigerians.
“It will boost the confidence of the beneficiaries. Soldiers will be encouraged to do more, put in their best and remain committed to whatever assignments they are given. . It will also encourage able-bodied Nigerians who are still undecided on joining the military because we need more recruits.
“This is a good development and we must commend President Bola Tinubu for the political will to do this. But this is a good beginning, even if the demand for money is insatiable and inflation has reduced the purchasing power of salaries. It shows that the President has goodwill to members of the Armed Forces.”
However, Adewinbi stressed that higher salaries alone would not solve the military’s operational challenges and urged the government to provide modern weapons, improved accommodation, quality uniforms and adequate logistics.
“The government should not stop on salaries. The troops need more protection and technology to aid their operations. “They require sophisticated weapons, accommodation, uniforms and the logistics to carry out their duties effectively,” he said.
But retired Brig. Gen. George Emdin warned that welfare improvements have often been announced in the past but the implementation has been poor.
“This is not a new phenomenon. It’s been said for a long time. There’s no money in it.
“Until we see how it is implemented, you cannot say much.” “Of course it will boost morale and earning power, which we like, but the problem has always been implementation,” he said.
Retired Rear Admiral Othiniel Filafa also noted that increased salaries, a strong political will and the effective deployment of military equipment were all crucial for improving the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
Filafa said in speaking to one of our correspondents that decisions made at the strategic level had a direct impact on how troops performed on the battlefield.
The pay raise is warranted. Most of the problems faced by troops are the consequence of political will of those who are making decisions at the strategic level. No matter what happens there, it ends up filtering down to personnel on the field.
As regards to equipment, particularly in the Air Force, the Federal Government has made laudable efforts in acquiring platforms to sustain combat operations. But commanders must make sure the equipment that is provided is used properly.
“The salary increase is crucial because it will raise troop morale, reduce resignations and improve combat effectiveness.”
Also reacting, the Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor on Security Matters, retired Col. Ahmed Usman, praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the salary review, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
In a statement, Usman said the improved welfare package will boost the morale, commitment and operational effectiveness of military personnel who continue to make enormous sacrifices to protect lives and property across the country.
He said that security personnel often work under difficult and life-threatening conditions and that improving their welfare was not only a recognition of their patriotism but also a strategic investment in national peace and stability.
He said that a well-motivated security workforce is critical to effective intelligence gathering, prompt response to emerging threats and sustained operations against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decision to improve the salaries and welfare of our security personnel. It will certainly inspire greater dedication, professionalism and commitment among those in charge of safeguarding our nation,” he said.
However, Usman stressed that the country’s security challenges would not be solved by improved remuneration alone, urging the Federal Government to complement the salary review with modern operational equipment, continuous training and retraining, comprehensive insurance, quality healthcare and decent housing for military personnel and their families.
He also called on security personnel to justify the government’s confidence by maintaining discipline, professionalism, integrity and respect for human rights in the discharge of their duties.
The retired military officer also urged Nigerians to support security agencies by giving timely and credible intelligence, saying community engagement is indispensable in tackling insecurity.
He reiterated the commitment of the Sokoto State Government to supporting security agencies with sustained collaboration with federal security institutions to protect lives, secure communities and restore lasting peace.
“Security is a shared responsibility. Government will continue to provide the necessary leadership and support, but citizens also have a vital role to play by cooperating with security agencies. “Together we can build a safer Sokoto State and a more secure Nigeria,” he said.
Personnel serving respond
Serving military personnel have welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a new salary structure for members of the Armed Forces, but said they would withhold celebrations until the increases are reflected in their bank accounts.
A military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the salary review was a step in the right direction and could improve recruitment by making military service more attractive to young Nigerians.
“We’re not celebrating until it starts coming in. “Of course it is the right move. Poor welfare has been affecting recruitment. This is a good start but the government can do better, especially for junior officers and soldiers because of the present economic situation. “Better welfare will make military service more rewarding and will encourage more Nigerians to serve,” he added.
The salary increase of 50 per cent, for another serving senior officer, will increase his monthly salary from ₦362,405.67 to ₦543,608.51, according to a breakdown he shared on how it would affect his earnings.
The increment adds ₦181,202.84 to his current salary, which will be ₦543,608.51 per month, according to the calculation.
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“$362,405.67 divided by two is $181,202.83. My present salary is ₦543,608.51. “It does not compare with what many of my contemporaries outside the military earn. But we thank the President,” he said.
Another serving crew member said the announcement was encouraging but stressed that implementation was the real test.
“It’s good news, but there is no reason to celebrate yet. We can celebrate when the money hits our bank accounts. Fingers-crossed, for the time being.”
A third soldier welcomed the salary increase but doubted it would be enough to offset the country’s economic problems.
I thank the President for the increment but with the current economic situation, I doubt if it will make much difference. Hopefully, this will be the start of better welfare for the troops. We put our lives on the line to protect this country and we deserve better.”
The latest salary review comes amid growing calls to improve welfare for military personnel.
Recently, The PUNCH exclusively reported that retired military personnel gave the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa a seven-day ultimatum to facilitate an increase in soldiers’ salaries to at least ₦250,000.
The demand came after an earlier disclosure by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, that the monthly salary of the lowest-ranked soldier was increased from ₦50,000 to ₦100,000.
The Presidency announced a new salary structure under which the Armed Forces annual wage bill will increase from ₦660bn to ₦924bn, an additional ₦264bn.
President Tinubu said the pay rise was in recognition of the sacrifices troops continue to make in the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. He said his administration would continue to prioritise troop welfare while equipping the Armed Forces with modern weapons and technology to tackle emerging security threats.
Senators praise Tinubu
The Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmad Lawan, have commended President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a 30 to 80 per cent salary increase for Armed Forces personnel, describing it as a timely intervention that would boost troop morale.
The lawmakers said the new pay structure would boost the commitment of military personnel involved in operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.
In a statement on Tuesday, Yar’Adua thanked the President for acknowledging the sacrifices of troops, saying the increase that would affect some 250,000 personnel from September 1, 2026, was an indication of the administration’s dedication to troop welfare.
He said the increase in the military’s annual personnel wage bill from N660bn to N924bn showed the government’s resolve to improve the welfare and modernisation of the Armed Forces.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Army, linked the salary review to recent moves to expand Army divisions, saying both would enhance operational effectiveness and national security.
He added that Senate would continue to work with the executive to ensure full implementation of the package, better equipment and better condition of service for personnel.
Lawan also reacted, describing the salary review as a “compassionate and strategic intervention” which showed the government’s commitment to the welfare of troops.
The former Senate President said the phased increase was fair because it gave more incentives to junior personnel who bear much of the burden of frontline operations.
However, he called on the Armed Forces to respond to the gesture through professionalism, operational efficiency and better synergy between the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Lawan said that while more funding and welfare should be provided to security services, it should be matched with more coordination and intelligence sharing among them to effectively address the country’s security challenges.
