Defence Minister Hails Tinubu’s Historic Military Pay Rise, Says 250,000 Personnel to Benefit

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for approving what he described as a historic salary increase of between 30 and 80 per cent for personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, saying the move will significantly boost troop morale and strengthen national security operations.

General Musa, speaking on behalf of the military establishment and the Ministry of Defence, described the President’s approval as a landmark intervention that reflects the administration’s commitment to the welfare of military personnel and ongoing security sector reforms.

According to a statement signed by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, the salary increase, will take effect from September 1, 2026 and will benefit about 250,000 personnel across the Armed Forces. Under the new structure, personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant will receive an 80 per cent increase, those from Warrant Officer to Colonel will benefit from a 50 per cent increase, while senior officers above the rank of Colonel will receive a 30 per cent increase.

The Minister noted that the revised salary package raises the annual personnel cost of the Armed Forces from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion, describing it as evidence of President Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of officers and soldiers.

According to General Musa, the salary review will ease the financial burden on troops deployed in various theatres of operation, including those fighting insurgency in the North-East and personnel engaged in combating banditry, oil theft and kidnapping in other parts of the country.

He assured the President and Nigerians that the Armed Forces would reciprocate the gesture with greater dedication, discipline and enhanced operational effectiveness in the fight against insecurity.

General Musa also charged officers and soldiers to regard the improved conditions of service as a renewed call to duty by intensifying efforts to neutralise security threats, protect civilian lives and restore lasting peace across the country.

He reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s agenda of modernising military equipment, strengthening technological capabilities and improving the living conditions of military personnel and their families.