BREAKING: Tinubu Approves Salary Increase for Nigerian Soldiers

President Bola Tinubu has approved a fresh salary increase for personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The new pay structure will benefit about 250,000 personnel and will take effect from September 1.

Under the approved package, officers above the rank of Colonel, including Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant-Generals and Generals, will receive a 30 per cent salary increase.

Personnel from the rank of Colonel down to Warrant Officer will enjoy a 50 per cent increase, while soldiers from Private to Staff Sergeant will receive the highest adjustment with an 80 per cent increase.

The new salary structure is expected to affect personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force.

The approval also follows repeated assurances by the Federal Government that improving the welfare of troops remains a priority in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.

However, the Federal Government announced that President Tinubu would soon unveil another salary increase for members of the Armed Forces.

Recall that the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa had in July, disclosed that the President would soon approve another salary increase for members of the armed forces.

According to the Minister, this is part of ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of the military and further strengthen the security personnel.

He stated in July during a training and financial empowerment programme for widows and wives of military personnel in Abuja. The event was held at Lungi Barracks in the Federal Capital Territory.

The minister said the Federal Government remained committed to rewarding the sacrifices made by soldiers defending the country.

“I am confident that very soon Mr President will announce another salary increase for our men,” the minister said.

He also recalled the earlier review of soldiers’ pay, saying, “When I was Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers were receiving N49,000. About two years ago, I pushed for an increase to N100,000, and that was achieved. We are however making further efforts to increase it again.”

At the event, the minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of serving military personnel and their families.

“I want to state here that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving N100,000, and I know that generated both positive and negative reactions,” he said.

He added, “The Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that military personnel are adequately rewarded for the sacrifices they make in safeguarding the nation.”

The minister further expressed confidence that President Tinubu would approve another upward review in salaries, saying, “I am confident that very soon Mr President will announce another salary increase for our men.”

Earlier, on July 9, 2026, the minister had disclosed that the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers had risen from N49,000 to N100,000, describing the increase as part of the Federal Government’s broader welfare reforms for the armed forces.

“When they started, a soldier was collecting N49,000 monthly. We tried so hard, now he’s collecting N100,000,” he said, while acknowledging that more still needed to be done to improve funding for the military.