BREAKING: Tinubu Approves ₦198,000 to ₦751,000 Monthly Salary for Armed Forces Personnel
President Bola Tinubu has approved a new salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, with monthly salaries now ranging from ₦198,000 to ₦751,000, depending on rank, in a move aimed at improving troop welfare and boosting morale in the fight against insecurity.
The new pay package, which will take effect from September 1, 2026, will benefit approximately 250,000 military personnel, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Under the approved salary structure, senior officers above the rank of Colonel, including Brigadier Generals, Major Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals, will earn up to ₦751,000 monthly. Personnel from Colonel down to Warrant Officer will receive salaries of up to ₦547,000, while those from Private to Staff Sergeant will earn between ₦198,000 and ₦330,000 monthly under the new package.
The salary review will increase the Armed Forces’ annual wage bill from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion, representing an additional ₦264 billion in personnel costs. The new structure is designed to significantly improve the earnings of junior personnel while enhancing the overall welfare of officers and men of the Armed Forces.
President Tinubu said the decision was in recognition of the sacrifices made daily by members of the Armed Forces in combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.
He said, “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.”
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising troop welfare and military modernisation through improved remuneration and the provision of modern weapons and technological equipment needed for effective operations.
According to him, “Our administration will continue to prioritise troop welfare and modernise the armed forces by providing the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties.”
Tinubu also linked the salary review to his administration’s broader security agenda, stressing that no nation can attain sustainable development without adequate security.
He stated, “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.”
The President urged members of the Armed Forces to see the new salary package as a demonstration of the government’s appreciation for their dedication and patriotism, expressing confidence that the nation’s security forces would ultimately overcome those threatening Nigeria’s peace and stability.