President Bola Tinubu has approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, with about 250,000 personnel expected to benefit from the new pay package.
The salary review, which takes effect from September 1, was announced on Tuesday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Officers above the rank of colonel, including Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals, will receive a 30 per cent salary increase in the new pay package.
Personnel from the rank of colonel down to warrant officer will enjoy a 50 per cent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant will receive an 80 per cent pay rise, the presidency said.
The new salary structure will raise the annual wage bill for the armed forces from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.
Onanuga explained that the graduated structure of the increase scales inversely with rank, with the highest percentage increases going to the most junior personnel.
The President linked the pay rise directly to the sacrifices personnel continue to make in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across parts of the country.
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.”
Tinubu maintained that troop welfare and military modernisation would remain a standing priority of his administration.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu tied the salary increase to his broader philosophy on national security saying, “Our administration believes that no nation can achieve greatness without security.
He added, “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.
“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 President said.
