The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving what he described as a historic salary increase of between 30 and 80 per cent for personnel of the Nigeria military, saying the move will significantly boost troop morale and strengthen national security operations.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, General Musa expressed profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for the landmark welfare package, which will take effect from September 1, 2026.
According to the statement, the salary adjustment will benefit about 250,000 personnel across the armed forces, with junior ranks from Private to Staff Sergeant receiving an 80 per cent increase, middle-ranking officers and non-commissioned officers from Warrant Officer to Colonel getting a 50 per cent raise, while senior military officers will receive a 30 per cent increment.
The Defence Minister described the approval as a major morale booster and a clear demonstration of President Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel and advancing security sector reforms.
He noted that the increase in annual military personnel expenditure from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion reflects the administration’s determination to match its promises with concrete action.
“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,” General Musa said.
He added that the improved remuneration would ease the financial burden on officers and soldiers deployed in various theatres of operation, including those combating insurgency in the North-East, as well as troops engaged in fighting banditry, oil theft and kidnapping across the country.
The Minister assured Nigerians that the gesture would be reciprocated with renewed dedication, discipline and enhanced operational effectiveness by military personnel.
General Musa also urged officers and soldiers to regard the improved conditions of service as a renewed call to duty by intensifying efforts to eliminate security threats, protect lives and property, and restore lasting peace nationwide.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s agenda of modernising military equipment, strengthening technological capabilities and improving the overall welfare of personnel and their families.
