Federal Government Approves New Pensionable Salary Structure for Armed Forces

By Ayodele Quadri, Lagos Times Correspondent

ABUJA — The Federal Government has approved a new pensionable salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, raising the top annual pensionable salary for full Generals, Admirals, and Air Chief Marshals to ₦29.75 million—translating to roughly ₦2.48 million monthly.

The approval was communicated via an official circular issued on September 3, 2026, by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), signed by its Chairman, Major General Junaidu S. Bindawa (retd.). Taking effect from September 1, 2026, the new structure covers all military ranks across the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force.

NSIWC clarified that the circular specifically sets out figures for pension calculation purposes pursuant to Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates pension reviews every five years or alongside major public service salary revisions. The revision follows President Bola Tinubu’s earlier approval of a broader military pay rise aimed at boosting troop morale and enhancing security across the country.

Key Highlights & Rank-by-Rank Pension Scale Breakdown

• Top-Tier Flag Officers: Full Generals, Admirals, and Air Chief Marshals will see annual pensionable salaries between ₦21.90 million and ₦29.75 million (up to ~₦2.48m monthly).

• Senior Command Ranks:

  • Lieutenant Generals / Vice Admirals / Air Marshals: ₦16.99 million to ₦25.91 million annually.

  • Major Generals / Rear Admirals / Air Vice Marshals: ₦14.98 million to ₦23.90 million annually.

  • Brigadier Generals / Commodores / Air Commodores: ₦13.86 million to ₦16.39 million annually.

• Field & Commissioned Officers:

  • Colonels / Captains (Navy) / Group Captains: ₦8.31 million to ₦9.49 million annually.

  • Lieutenant Colonels / Commanders / Wing Commanders: ₦7.55 million to ₦8.74 million annually.

  • Majors / Lieutenant Commanders / Squadron Leaders: ₦5.99 million to ₦7.01 million annually.

  • Captains / Lieutenants (Navy) / Flight Lieutenants: ₦5.28 million to ₦6.42 million annually.

  • Second Lieutenants / Midshipmen / Pilot Officers: ₦4.92 million to ₦5.59 million annually.

• Non-Commissioned & Rank-and-File Personnel:

  • Warrant Officers: ₦4.53 million to ₦5.17 million annually.

  • Corporals / Able Seamen: ₦2.48 million to ₦2.73 million annually.

  • Privates / Ordinary Seamen / Aircraftmen: ₦2.28 million to ₦2.49 million annually (~₦190,000 to ₦207,000 monthly).