The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a historic 30 to 80 percent salary increase for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, describing it as a landmark welfare intervention for troops nationwide.
In a statement issued on August 5, 2026, the Minister said the increment, which takes effect from September 1, 2026, will directly benefit approximately 250,000 officers and men across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. According to the new structure, junior ranks from Private to Staff Sergeant will receive an 80 percent boost, middle-tier officers and non-commissioned officers from Warrant Officer to Colonel will get a 50 percent increase, while senior military leadership will receive a 30 percent raise.
General Musa hailed the directive as a decisive morale booster that underscores the administration’s commitment to security sector reform. “His Excellency, 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,” he said.
The Minister noted that the move also reflects a significant fiscal commitment, with the annual personnel cost for the military rising from N660 billion to N924 billion. He stated that the gesture was aimed at alleviating financial hardship for troops deployed in various theatres of operation, including the North East, areas battling banditry, oil theft, and kidnapping.
Reassuring the President and Nigerians, General Musa said the increment would translate into renewed vigour and operational effectiveness. “On behalf of the entire defence structure, we assure Mr. President and the Nigerian public that this gesture will be met with uncompromising discipline and heightened operational effectiveness,” he added.
The Ministry urged all officers and men to see the enhanced condition of service as a renewed call to duty to neutralise security threats and safeguard civilian lives. General Musa also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to aligning with President Tinubu’s mandate to modernise equipment, enhance technological capacity, and improve the standard of living for military personnel and their families.
