President Bola Tinubu has approved salary increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent for personnel of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, with about 250,000 personnel expected to benefit from the new pay package.
Approved by the President, the salary increase will take effect from September 1, 2026, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday.
Under the new arrangement, officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant-generals and generals, will receive a 30 per cent salary increase.
Personnel from the rank of colonel down to warrant officer will receive a 50 per cent increase, while personnel from private to staff sergeant will benefit from an 80 per cent increase.
The new salary structure is expected to raise the annual salary bill for Armed Forces personnel from N660 billion to N924 billion.
Tinubu said the decision was part of his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel who are involved in combating banditry, kidnapping and terrorism 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,” the President said.