Musa says new salary structure will boost troop morale and strengthen ongoing security operations nationwide.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a historic salary increase for members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, describing the decision as a significant boost to troop welfare and national security.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the minister said the new salary structure, which takes effect on September 1, 2026, will benefit about 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.
According to the statement, the package provides an 80 per cent salary increase for junior ranks, a 50 per cent increase for middle-level officers and non-commissioned officers, and a 30 per cent increase for senior military officers.
Musa said the approval reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel and advancing ongoing security sector reforms. He noted that the increase in the Armed Forces’ annual wage bill from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion demonstrates the administration’s determination to support troops through meaningful welfare initiatives.
The defence minister added that the improved remuneration would enhance the morale of personnel engaged in counter-insurgency, anti-banditry, anti-kidnapping and anti-oil theft operations across the country.
He also reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to modernising military equipment, strengthening technological capabilities and improving the welfare of service personnel and their families as part of efforts to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.