Tinubu to Announce Fresh Salary Increase for Soldiers Soon, Says Defence Minister

The Federal Government is working towards another salary increase for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, with the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to announce the new pay package soon.

Musa disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while speaking at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop organised for widows and wives of military personnel.

The programme, held at Lungi Barracks, was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

The minister said the planned salary review was part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to improve the welfare of soldiers and recognise the sacrifices made by military personnel in defending the country.

Musa recalled that soldiers' pay had previously been increased from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000, saying the government was now making further efforts to improve their remuneration.

“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.

“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.”

The minister added that further discussions were ongoing on improving the pay of military personnel and expressed confidence that President Tinubu would soon make an announcement on another salary increase.

“We are, however, making further efforts to increase it again. We know our President is a listening father who understands the sacrifices our troops are making and is committed to ensuring they are well remunerated,” Musa said.

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

Musa's disclosure comes amid continuing calls for improved welfare for military personnel, particularly those deployed to high-risk operational theatres where troops are engaged in counter-insurgency and other security operations.

The minister said the Federal Government recognised that the demands placed on service personnel extended beyond the battlefield, noting that military families also carried a significant burden whenever their loved ones were deployed for prolonged periods.

According to him, soldiers routinely operate in difficult environments, often spending extended periods away from their spouses and children while confronting serious security threats.

“Every day, our personnel confront complex security challenges in defence of Nigeria's sovereignty and the protection of the lives and property of our citizens,” he said.

“Many serve in difficult operational environments, separated from their families for extended periods and exposed to considerable risks. While their courage and sacrifice are rightly celebrated, we must equally recognise the invaluable role played by the families who stand firmly behind them.”

The minister spoke particularly about the contribution of military spouses and the challenges faced by widows whose husbands died in the line of duty.

“To the spouses gathered here today, your resilience, patience and steadfast support give your loved ones the confidence to remain focused on their responsibilities,” he said.

“To our widows whose husbands served Nigeria with honour and distinction, your strength and perseverance in the face of loss remain an enduring source of inspiration.”

Musa said improving the welfare of the Armed Forces should not be limited to salaries and allowances, arguing that the economic stability of military families was also important to troop morale and operational effectiveness.

He said a strong military depended not only on trained personnel and modern equipment but also on families that were sufficiently supported to withstand the pressures associated with military life.

“When military families are economically secure, they are better positioned to withstand the unique demands of military life. This gives service personnel the confidence that their loved ones are well supported, allowing them to concentrate fully on their operational responsibilities,” he said.

“Strengthening the economic resilience of military families is therefore an important investment in the effectiveness of our Armed Forces and the security of our nation.”

The workshop, themed ‘Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,’ was designed to provide participants with practical skills in entrepreneurship and business management.

Musa said the initiative was intended to help beneficiaries establish sustainable businesses, generate income and become more economically resilient.

He said the government was particularly concerned about the welfare of widows and spouses of non-commissioned officers serving in various operational theatres across the country.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, disclosed at the event that the agency had disbursed ₦25 million to 500 widows and wives of soldiers serving on the frontline.

The intervention, according to Odii, was aimed at helping beneficiaries establish or strengthen small businesses and improve their household incomes.

He said the programme was aligned with the Federal Government's broader enterprise development initiatives and President Tinubu's commitment to supporting small businesses.

Odii also referenced the Federal Government's ₦200 billion intervention fund for enterprises, which he said comprised a ₦75 billion single-digit interest loan facility for manufacturers, another ₦75 billion single-digit interest loan facility for small businesses, and ₦50 billion in grants for nano-businesses.

He said beneficiaries of the military families' empowerment initiative fell under the grant component.

Odii stressed that the ₦25 million disbursement to the 500 beneficiaries was not intended to be a one-off intervention, saying those who successfully invested the funds and grew their businesses could receive additional support.

“If you take the seed money we are giving you, invest it in your business, and the business grows, we will come back here in another year and double the amount we have given you,” he said.

He added that SMEDAN would monitor the beneficiaries' businesses to assess how the funds were being used and identify entrepreneurs who might qualify for further assistance.

The latest salary announcement adds to the Federal Government's broader efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel at a time when troops remain engaged in sustained operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity across several parts of Nigeria.

While Musa did not disclose the proposed amount or the implementation date for the new salary increase, his remarks indicate that the government is considering further adjustments to military pay.

The minister's statement also highlights a parallel policy focus on military families, with the government seeking to combine improved troop remuneration with economic empowerment programmes for spouses and widows.

The proposed salary increase will, however, require a formal announcement by President Tinubu before details of the new pay structure, including the scope and effective date, can be established.

For now, the minister's disclosure provides an indication that further changes to the remuneration of military personnel may be forthcoming as the Federal Government continues its efforts to strengthen troop welfare and sustain morale within the Armed Forces.