President Bola Tinubu has approved a substantial salary increase ranging from 30% to 80% for personnel of Nigeria’s armed forces, set to take effect from September 1, 2026.
This pay package, which will benefit approximately 250,000 military personnel, was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, through an official statement released on Tuesday.
According to the administration, the graduated structure of the salary adjustment scales inversely with rank to heavily favor junior officers.
Under the new arrangement, generals and senior officers above the rank of colonel will receive a 30% increase, personnel ranking from colonel down to warrant officer will get a 50% increase, and those from private to staff sergeant will enjoy an 80% boost.
This structural adjustment will elevate the annual salary bill for the armed forces from N660 billion to N924 billion, marking an overall increase of N264 billion.
The President directly linked this financial review to the daily sacrifices made by troops combating banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism nationwide.
Emphasizing the government’s stance, President Tinubu stated that those who keep citizens safe must be adequately supported and appreciated, reiterating that troop welfare and military modernization remain a standing priority of his administration.
In addition to financial adjustments, the President pledged continued efforts to supply the armed forces with necessary weapons and technological tools.
Highlighting his broader philosophy on national security, Tinubu asserted that no nation can achieve true greatness without security, expressing resolve to mobilize all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect lives and property.
Concluding his remarks, the President called on all servicemen to view the wage increase as a deep token of national appreciation for their service to the fatherland.
He expressed strong confidence in eventual victory against security threats, urging the military to remain steadfast in defending the nation.
