President Bola Tinubu has approved a salary increase of between 30 and 80 per cent for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, with the new pay structure set to take effect on September 1, 2026.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday, saying the new salary package will benefit about 250,000 military personnel.
According to the statement, the pay increase is structured to favour lower ranking personnel. Officers from the rank of Brigadier General to General will receive a 30 per cent salary increase, while officers from Colonel to Warrant Officer will receive a 50 per cent rise. Personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant will benefit from an 80 per cent increase.
The new package will raise the Armed Forces’ annual salary bill from N660 billion to N924 billion, representing an additional N264 billion in personnel costs.
President Tinubu said the salary review was in recognition of the sacrifices made by military personnel in tackling banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across the country.
He assured that his administration would continue to prioritise troop welfare and strengthen the military through improved equipment and modern technology.
The president also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to national security, describing it as essential to Nigeria’s progress.
He urged members of the Armed Forces to see the salary increase as a demonstration of the government’s appreciation for their service and pledged continued efforts to eliminate security threats across the country.
