President Bola Tinubu has approved a sweeping salary increase of between 30 and 80 per cent for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, in what the Presidency describes as a major boost to troops’ welfare and morale.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga said the new salary structure will take effect from September 1 and is expected to benefit about 250,000 military personnel across the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Under the approved package senior officers above the rank of Colonel — including Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant-Generals and Generals — will receive a 30 per cent salary increase; mid-ranking personnel, from the rank of Colonel down to Warrant Officer, will enjoy a 50 per cent increase while junior ranks, from Private to Staff Sergeant, will receive the highest bump of 80 per cent.
The Presidency said the enhanced package would raise the annual salary bill for armed forces personnel from N660 billion to N924 billion — an increase of N264 billion, or roughly 40 per cent of the current wage bill.
Rising Security Costs and Inflationary Pressures
The salary review comes against the backdrop of persistent security challenges across Nigeria, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central regions, and separatist agitations in parts of the South-East.
Troops have been deployed in nearly all 36 states under various internal security operations, stretching the military’s manpower and resources.
It also comes at a time when Nigerian workers — both in the public and private sectors — have been grappling with the cost-of-living crisis triggered by the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023 and the floating of the naira shortly afterwards.
Both reforms, though praised by international lenders, sharply eroded the purchasing power of salaries paid in naira. Organised labour secured a new national minimum wage of N70,000 in 2024, but rank-and-file soldiers have continued to press for a review of their own pay, which had lagged behind inflation.
Military salaries in Nigeria were last significantly reviewed in 2017 under the Buhari administration, and successive service chiefs have repeatedly appealed for improved welfare packages, arguing that better pay is critical to boosting morale on the front lines and stemming attrition.
Enter Commander-in-Chief
President Tinubu commended members of the armed forces for their sacrifices and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation.
“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 President said.
“Our administration will continue to prioritise troops’ welfare and modernise the armed forces by providing the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties. Our administration believes that no nation can achieve greatness without security.”
The President pledged his administration’s continued commitment to the welfare of servicemen and women, stressing that “all hands must be on deck” to defeat insecurity.
“We remain resolute in mobilising all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians,” he said.
“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.”
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has repeatedly praised the courage and resilience of military personnel in the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. His administration has previously approved the procurement of new platforms — including attack helicopters and armoured vehicles — and expanded housing and insurance schemes for military families.
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