RismadarVoice Reporters, August 5, 2026
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a 30 to 80 per cent salary increase for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The salary adjustment, which takes effect from September 1, 2026, is expected to affect about 250,000 military personnel across the three services.
Under the new structure, junior personnel from Private to Staff Sergeant will receive an 80 per cent increase, while middle-ranking personnel from Warrant Officer to Colonel will get a 50 per cent increase. Senior military officers will receive a 30 per cent increase.
Musa, in a statement issued by his media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, on Wednesday, described the approval as a major boost to the morale and welfare of military personnel.
The minister said the adjustment demonstrated the administration’s commitment to security sector reform and the welfare of troops serving across the country.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has once again demonstrated unwavering leadership and empathy for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line daily to preserve the peace and territorial integrity of our nation,” Musa said.
He added that the increase would raise the annual personnel cost of the Armed Forces from N660 billion to N924 billion.
Musa said the improved remuneration would have a positive impact on troops operating in various theatres, including those combating insurgency in the North-East and personnel tackling banditry, oil theft and kidnapping across the country.
“On behalf of the entire defence structure, we assure Mr President and the Nigerian public that this gesture will be met with renewed vigour, uncompromising discipline, and heightened operational effectiveness,” he said.
The minister urged military personnel to regard the salary increase as a renewed call to duty and to intensify efforts to protect civilians and neutralise security threats.
He also reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to supporting Tinubu’s agenda of modernising military equipment, strengthening technological capabilities and improving the living standards of service personnel and their families.
The Ministry of Defence said the new remuneration package was part of broader efforts to improve the conditions of service of members of the Armed Forces and strengthen the country’s security architecture.
