Nigerian soldiers have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 30-80 per cent salary increase.
The soldiers, however appealed to the President and military hierarchy to review their earned allowances.
According to them, salary is for every soldier, but allowances are limited to frontline troops.
President Tinubu on Tuesday approved a 30 to 80 per cent salary increment for 250,000 Nigerian armed forces personnel.
Soldiers from the rank of private, the entry level, to staff sergeant received an 80 per cent increase.
Some of the soldiers who spoke with LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity said the increment, though laudable, may not achieve its desired objective.
According to the source, families are already battling hyperinflation in the country.
He said, “I’m here in the theatre of operation. I left my bank ATM card with my wife. I don’t touch that money, and it’s still not enough for them. Assuming I’m still in the barracks, I’ll also be relying on that salary to survive daily. Mind you, allowances are paid for only those deployed in the bush. Those in the barracks only survive on a salary. We need a review of our allowances too.”
Another soldier said his course mates are overjoyed following the development and have calculated their percentage increment, waiting for September to see its actualisation.
The minister of Defence, Gen.Christopher Musa, while reacting to the news, expressed profound gratitude to the President for approving what he described as “historic” 30 to 80 per cent salary increment for Nigeria’s armed forces personnel.
The increment, which takes effect from 1st September, 2026, will directly impact approximately 250,000 personnel across all services.
The review package, yielding an 80 per cent boost for junior ranks (Private to Staff Sergeant), a 50 per cent increase for middle-tier officers and non-commissioned officers (Warrant Officer to Colonel), and a 30 per cent increase for senior military leadership, demonstrates an exemplary commitment to prioritising the operational welfare of frontline troops.
General Musa, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, reacting to the announcement, described the presidential directive as a decisive morale booster that reinforces the administration’s dedicated vision for security sector reform. His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 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. By raising the annual personnel cost from N660 billion to N924 billion, the President has matched words with concrete action, proving that the welfare of our troops remains paramount,” said General Musa. His subversion of financial hardship for our officers and soldiers will resonate across every theatre of operation, from those confronting insurgency in the North East to troops tackling banditry, oil theft, and kidnapping across the country. On behalf of the entire defence structure, we assure Mr President and the Nigerian public that this gesture will be met with renewed vigour, uncompromising discipline, and heightened operational effectiveness.”
The Minister charged all officers and men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to see the substantial enhancement in their condition of service as a renewed call to duty. He urged troops to redouble their efforts to neutralise all national security threats, safeguard civilian lives, and restore total stability in every corner of the country.
The Minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to aligning with President Tinubu’s mandate to continuously modernise equipment, enhance technological capacity, and elevate the standard of living for Nigeria’s military personnel and their families. Also, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the approval.
The Minister, in a statement signed by Queeneth Iheoma-Hart (CIO), described the decision as a landmark demonstration of the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare, morale, and operational effectiveness of gallant officers and men who continue to make immense sacrifices in defence of the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Matawalle disclosed that the issue of the Armed Forces’ salary review had been on the front burner since the inception of the present administration, and that he had personally championed the cause within government circles.
He thanked Mr President for his visionary leadership, steadfast advocacy, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of military personnel, which he said contributed immensely to this remarkable achievement.
