The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.) has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon announce a fresh salary increase for personnel of the Nigeria military as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance troop welfare.
Musa made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja during a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of military personnel, reaffirming the government’s commitment to rewarding the sacrifices of service members defending the nation’s sovereignty.
According to the minister, military personnel currently receive ₦100,000 following an earlier increase from ₦49,000, adding that the government is already working on another upward review.
“A few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving ₦100,000. When I was Chief of Defence Staff, they were receiving ₦49,000. About two years ago, I pushed for an increase to ₦100,000, and that was achieved. We are making further efforts to increase it again, and I am confident that very soon Mr. President will announce another salary increase for our men,” he said.
The workshop, themed “Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,” was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
General Musa noted that while military personnel continue to face complex security challenges and prolonged separation from their families, the government recognised the vital role played by their spouses and dependants in sustaining their morale and operational effectiveness.
He emphasised that strengthening the economic resilience of military families is a strategic investment in national security, stressing that a capable military requires not only well-equipped personnel but also stable and financially secure families.
The minister said the entrepreneurship programme was designed to equip participants with practical business management skills, enabling them to establish sustainable businesses, generate income and contribute to national economic development.
Also speaking at the event, SMEDAN Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Odii, announced the disbursement of ₦25 million to 500 widows and wives of soldiers serving on the frontlines.
Odii explained that the intervention forms part of President Tinubu’s broader ₦200 billion support package for businesses, comprising ₦75 billion in single-digit interest loans for manufacturers, ₦75 billion for small businesses and ₦50 billion in grants for nano-businesses.
He assured beneficiaries that those who utilise the grants productively would be considered for additional financial support, adding that SMEDAN would monitor the businesses to ensure effective use of the funds and identify entrepreneurs eligible for future assistance.
