President Bola Tinubu has approved a new salary structure for members of the Armed Forces, coming with a raise in the pay of military personnel by between 30 and 80 per cent in what is expected to be one of the biggest adjustments to troop welfare in recent years.
The increase, announced on Tuesday, will take effect from September 1, 2026, and will apply to about 250,000 personnel across the armed forces, according to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The new package gives the largest increase to lower-ranking personnel, indicative of a deliberate effort to improve the earnings of soldiers at the frontline of Nigeria’s security operations.
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Under the approved structure, personnel from the rank of private to staff sergeant will receive an 80 per cent salary increase. Officers from warrant officer to colonel will get a 50 per cent increase, while senior officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant-generals and generals, will receive a 30 per cent rise.
The adjustment will increase the annual personnel cost of the armed forces from N660 billion to N924 billion, a representation of an additional N264 billion commitment by the Federal Government.
According to the Presidency, the decision is tied directly to the demands placed on military personnel who have always confronted armed groups, kidnappers, and terrorists across different parts of the country.
Tinubu said the welfare of troops remains central to his administration’s security agenda.
The President 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.”
He also assured military personnel that the salary review would be accompanied by continued investment in defence capabilities.
Tinubu said, “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.”
The President linked the initiative to his government’s broader security objectives, saying that national development depends on a secure environment.
He said, “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.”
Tinubu urged members of the armed forces to see the new salary package as recognition of their service and commitment to the country.
He added, “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 announcement serves as a recognition of the noble services of the Nigerian troops at a time when Nigeria perpetually battles multiple security threats, including insurgency in the North-East, bandit attacks in the North-West, separatist violence in parts of the South-East, and widespread kidnapping across several states.
These challenges have repeatedly renewed public debate over the welfare of military personnel, many of whom have spent prolonged periods on operational deployments.
While successive administrations have invested in military equipment and recruitment, welfare has always been a recurring concern among serving and retired personnel. By placing the highest percentage increase at the lower end of the rank structure, the new salary package appears designed to provide greater financial relief for soldiers whose earnings have come under pressure from rising living costs while serving in demanding operational environments.
