Military Salaries Surge to N924bn After Tinubu Greenlights Pay Hike

In what is the biggest upward review of military salaries under his administration, 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.

The highest increases under the new pay structure that will come into effect on September 1, 2026 are for the 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 significant morale booster that could improve troop commitment, recruitment and operational effectiveness. They however, called on the Federal Government to ensure prompt implementation and complement 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.

In a statement on Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the graduated structure of the increase scaled inversely with rank, with the highest percentage increases going to the most junior personnel.

The pay package will increase the annual salary bill for the armed forces from N660bn to N924bn, an increase of N264 billion.

The President said the pay rise was directly linked to the sacrifices personnel continue to make in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism in parts of the country.

“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.”

Tinubu said troop welfare and military modernisation would continue to be a standing priority of his administration.

He said: “Our administration will continue to prioritise the welfare of the troops and modernise the armed forces by providing them with the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties.

The salary hike is tied to the larger philosophy Tinubu has on national security, he contended.

“We believe that no nation can be great without security,” he said. “We have taken the position in our administration that security is the foundation on which greatness is built. We stand firm in deploying all military and law enforcement assets to eradicate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.”

He told the benefiting personnel, “I urge 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 who are determined to destroy the fabric of our nation,” the President added.

The pay hike, the largest 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 increase response times to regional security threats.

Military morale booster

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 welfare and operational effectiveness.

The approval, said the statement by Musa’s Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, on Tuesday, 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 demonstrated 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 salary review would help reduce financial pressures on troops and boost morale among 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 reciprocate 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 reaffirmed the Defence Ministry’s commitment to continued efforts to modernise military equipment, enhance technological capabilities and improve the welfare of personnel and their families.

Ex-military chiefs respond

Retired senior military officers have praised President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a 30 to 80 per cent salary increase for Armed Forces personnel, describing it as a significant morale booster and calling on the Federal Government to complement the package with better equipment, logistics and improved welfare.

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Retired Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, a former Director of Army Public Relations, said the decision was timely, adding that no sum of money could be enough for the soldiers in the course of defending the country.

He said military personnel deserve to be among the 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 about sufficiency or not. How much do you think you can pay a soldier to be enough? I don’t think that the sacrifices or the life of a soldier can be measured. Because of 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 look at their participation in counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and other internal security operations and the level of deprivation they go through, you will understand why. We really have to commend the President for this move. “An 80 per cent increment will go a long way, especially considering the inflationary trend in the country,” he said.

Usman noted that the Minister of Defence had earlier hinted at an upward salary review, adding that the approval showed the government was matching its promises with action.

This was suggested some time ago by the Minister of Defence and it is good that actions are now matching words. “It gives the troops a sense of belonging and that the government is listening, and it is responding to their welfare concerns,” he said.

Retired Commodore Omatseye Nesiama described the salary increase as a welcome development, noting that the move would help address existing disparities in military remuneration.

He, however, stressed that further adjustments were needed to bridge gaps across the various ranks, particularly among senior officers.

“It is a welcome development. The gap-bridging strategy is long overdue. However, on close examination, there has always been a disproportionate gap even among the ranks of senior officers and that too needs to be addressed. In my opinion, the increase should extend to all security agencies in the country, as they are all exposed to similar risks in terms of security and economic challenges,” he said.

Also reacting, retired Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinbi said the salary increase would enhance the morale of troops significantly, improve commitment and make the military service more attractive to young Nigerians.

“It will boost the morale of the recipients. Soldiers will be encouraged to do more, give their best and remain committed to any assignment they are given. . It will also encourage able-bodied Nigerians who are yet to decide on joining the military because we need more recruits.

“This is a welcome development and we must commend President Bola Tinubu for the political will to do this. Although the demand for money is insatiable and inflation has reduced the purchasing power of salaries, this is a good beginning. It shows the President has goodwill towards members of the Armed Forces.”

However, Adewinbi stressed that higher salaries alone would not solve the military’s operational challenges and called on the government to provide modern weapons, improved accommodation, quality uniforms and adequate logistics.

“The government should not stop at salaries. “Troops require more protection and technology to help their operations. “They need advanced weapons, accommodation, uniforms and the logistics to perform their tasks effectively,” he said.

However, retired Brig. Gen. George Emdin urged caution, noting that previous welfare improvements had often been undermined by poor implementation.

“This is not a new development. It has been pronounced for a long time, but there is no cash backing.

“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.

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, said Retired Rear Admiral Othiniel Filafa.

“Decisions taken at the strategic level directly affected how troops performed on the battlefield,” Filafa said in speaking to one of our correspondents.

The pay raise is justified. The majority of the challenges troops face are the result of the political will of those making decisions at the strategic level. No matter what happens there, it filters down to personnel on the field.

In terms of equipment, especially in the Air Force, the Federal Government has made laudable efforts in acquiring platforms to sustain combat operations. But commanders have to ensure that the equipment they provide is used properly.

“The salary increase is very important because it will boost troop morale, decrease resignations and increase combat effectiveness.”

Also reacting, the Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor on Security Matters, retired Col. Ahmed Usman, commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the salary review, saying it was a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

Usman, in a statement, said the improved welfare package would 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 noted that security personnel often operate under difficult and life-threatening conditions, arguing that improving their welfare was not only a recognition of their patriotism but also a strategic investment in national peace and stability.

According to him, a well-motivated security workforce is critical to effective intelligence gathering, swift responses to emerging threats and sustained operations against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

“The decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improve the salaries and welfare of our security personnel is highly commendable. It will undoubtedly inspire greater dedication, professionalism and commitment among those at the forefront of safeguarding our nation,” he said.

Usman, however, stressed that improved remuneration alone would not resolve the country’s security challenges, 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 urged security personnel to justify the trust of the government by maintaining discipline, professionalism, integrity and respect for human rights in the discharge of their duties.

The retired military officer further appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence, noting that community participation remains indispensable in tackling insecurity.

He re-emphasized the resolve of the Sokoto State Government to support security agencies with sustained collaboration with federal security institutions to protect lives, secure communities and restore lasting peace.

“Security is a shared responsibility. The necessary leadership and support will continue to be provided by the Government, but citizens also have a vital role to play in cooperating with security agencies. Together, we can build a safer Sokoto State and a more secure Nigeria,” he added.

Personnel respond

President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a new salary structure for members of the Armed Forces has been welcomed by serving military personnel, who said they would withhold celebrations until the increases are reflected in their bank accounts.

The salary review was a step in the right direction and could improve recruitment by making military service more attractive to young Nigerians, said a military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly.

“We are not celebrating until we start receiving it. “Of course it is the right move. Poor welfare has been impacting on recruitment. This is a good start but the government can still do better, especially for junior officers and soldiers because of the present economic situation. Better welfare will make military service more rewarding and encourage more Nigerians to serve,” he said.

According to a breakdown he shared on how it would affect his earnings, the salary increase of 50 per cent will increase his monthly salary from ₦362,405.67 to ₦543,608.51 for another serving senior officer.

According to the calculation, the increment adds ₦181,202.84 to his current salary, bringing his monthly pay to ₦543,608.51.

“Fifty per cent of ₦362,405.67 is ₦181,202.83. With the addition of my current salary, it amounts to ₦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 personnel said the announcement was encouraging but stressed that the real test was implementation.

“It’s good news, but it doesn’t call for jubilation yet. When the money hits our bank accounts, we can celebrate. Fingers crossed, for now.”

Another soldier said he welcomed the pay rise but doubted it would be enough to compensate for the country’s economic woes.

“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 beginning of better welfare for the troops. We risk our lives to protect this country and we deserve better.”

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The latest salary review comes amid mounting calls to improve welfare for military personnel.

The PUNCH reported exclusively recently 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 salary of the lowest-ranked soldier was increased from ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 monthly.

The Presidency announced a new salary structure under which the Armed Forces annual wage bill will increase from the current ₦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, adding that 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 praised President Bola Tinubu for approving a 30 to 80 per cent salary increase for Armed Forces personnel, calling it a timely move that would boost troop morale.

The lawmakers said the new pay structure would bolster 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 recognising the sacrifices of troops, saying the increase, which would affect about 250,000 personnel from September 1, 2026, was a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to troop welfare.

He said the increase of 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 heads the Senate Committee on Army, tied the salary review to recent moves to enlarge Army divisions, saying both would improve operational effectiveness and national security.

He said 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” that showed the government’s commitment to the welfare of troops.

The former Senate President stated that the phased increase was fair because it provided greater incentives to junior personnel who bear much of the burden of frontline operations.

However, he asked the Armed Forces to respond to the gesture with professionalism, operational efficiency and better synergy between the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Lawan said although more funding and welfare should be given to security services, it should be accompanied with more coordination and intelligence sharing among them to effectively tackle the country’s security challenges.