President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved an upward salary review of between 30 per cent and 80 per cent for approximately 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The new pay structure—announced on Tuesday, August 4, by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga—will raise the nation’s annual military wage bill from N660 billion to N924 billion (a N264 billion increase) and takes effect on September 1, 2026.
Key Operational Highlights
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Graduated Tier Structure: The percentage increase is scaled inversely with rank, providing the largest adjustments to frontline junior personnel.
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Private to Staff Sergeant: 80% salary increase.
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Warrant Officer to Colonel: 50% salary increase.
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Brigadier-General to General: 30% salary increase.
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Target Audience: The policy covers about 250,000 serving officers and men across the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force.
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Strategic Objective: Designed to boost troop morale, improve recruitment and retention, and recognize the sacrifices of personnel engaged in counter-terrorism, anti-banditry, and anti-kidnapping operations nationwide.
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Complemented by Modernisation: The Presidency affirmed that the salary review will be paired with continued investments in advanced weapons systems, technology, logistics, and troop welfare.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ARMED FORCES SALARY REVIEW SUMMARY MATRIX │
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│ • Approving Authority: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu │
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│ • Effective Date : September 1, 2026 │
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│ • Beneficiaries : ~250,000 Armed Forces Personnel │
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│ • Previous Annual Wage: N660 Billion │
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│ • Revised Annual Wage : N924 Billion (+N264 Billion / +40% overall) │
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│ • Rank Increments : • Private to Staff Sergeant : +80% │
│ • Warrant Officer to Colonel : +50% │
│ • Brig-Gen to General : +30% │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
“Supporting Those Who Keep Us Safe”
Explaining the rationale behind the approval, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized the administration’s commitment to prioritizing security and troop welfare:
“The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation… Our administration believes that no nation can achieve greatness without security. We therefore remain resolute in mobilising all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.” — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Commending the decision, former Director of Army Public Relations, retired Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, described the pay rise as a major morale booster while urging the Federal Government to sustain momentum through modern equipment and logistics:
“An 80 per cent increment will go a long way, especially considering the inflationary trend in the country… The government should not stop at salaries. The troops need more protection and technology to support their operations.” — Brig. Gen. Sani Usman (retd.)
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
