Soldiers confirm 80% salary increase as new pay reflects in accounts

Some personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces have confirmed the commencement of payment of their newly approved salaries, with junior military personnel reporting increases of up to 80 per cent.

The soldiers, who spoke on Thursday, said the new pay began appearing in their bank accounts from Wednesday evening, in line with the Federal Government’s recently announced salary adjustment for military personnel.

According to the personnel, the increase applies to ranks from Private to Staff Sergeant, with some junior soldiers now receiving substantially higher monthly salaries than previously.

A Private who previously earned about ₦103,000 is now receiving approximately ₦190,000, while a Lance Corporal whose former salary was about ₦110,000 is now receiving about ₦202,000, according to the soldiers.

“Private soldiers ₦190k. Lance Corporal ₦202k, go on like that. It is exactly the 80 per cent as they promised,” one of the soldiers said.

The development corroborates an earlier announcement by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, who said military personnel had started receiving the revised salaries

Olusegun disclosed this in a post on X on Thursday.

“I can categorically confirm that personnel of the Nigerian Military have now started receiving their newly increased salaries as approved by President @officialABAT in August,” he wrote.

According to him, the implementation of the new pay package is expected to improve the morale of troops engaged in military operations across the country.

“Another critical factor that is expected to boost the morale of our frontline forces as we continue to win the war against insecurity,” Olusegun added.

The salary review followed President Tinubu’s approval in August of increases ranging between 30 and 80 per cent for personnel of the Armed Forces.

The revised salary structure took effect from September 1, 2026.

Under the arrangement, personnel from Private to Staff Sergeant are entitled to an 80 per cent increase, while those from Warrant Officer to Colonel are to receive a 50 per cent increase.

Officers above the rank of Colonel, including Brigadier-General, Major-General, Lieutenant-General and General, are to receive a 30 per cent increase.

The new package is expected to benefit about 250,000 military personnel.

The Presidency had stated that the adjustment would raise the annual salary bill of the Armed Forces from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.

While announcing the approval, Tinubu said members of the Armed Forces deserved stronger support in view of their role in tackling banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other security threats across the country.

“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,” he said in a statement issued on August 4 by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The President further said his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of military personnel while equipping the Armed Forces with the weapons and technological resources needed for their operations.

The implementation of the salary adjustment comes against the backdrop of continued military deployments in different parts of the country to combat insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges.

The latest increase also follows earlier reports highlighting concerns over the welfare and remuneration of some military personnel.

In September 2025, some Nigerian Army personnel reportedly raised concerns over unpaid allowances and what they described as inadequate salaries, urging the Tinubu administration to review their remuneration.

The soldiers had also alleged that attempts to raise complaints about their welfare were met with threats from military authorities and called for an adjustment of allowances to reflect prevailing economic conditions.

Military personnel had previously expressed concerns over the remuneration of junior ranks, arguing that improved welfare was necessary in recognition of the risks associated with their duties and their role in securing the country.

 

(SAHARA REPORTERS)