President Bola Tinubu on Sunday announced the donation of all his salaries since assuming office on May 29, 2023, to establish a dedicated welfare fund for wounded soldiers and families of fallen military personnel.
The President made the announcement on Sunday while commemorating his birthday, directing the Accountant-General of the Federation to immediately establish a special account for the initiative.
“What I need to do on your behalf is to announce a special account to be created today from all the salaries that I’ve earned.
“The Accountant General should establish an account to fund those men and women who stand in harm’s way, who have lost husbands and wives,” Tinubu stated.
According to the most recent publicly available data by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the President’s monthly salary stands at ₦1,171,568.20, translating to an annual salary of ₦14,058,820.
Over the full four-year term from May 29, 2023, to May 29, 2027, this would amount to approximately ₦56.2 million in basic salary.
However, presidential remuneration includes additional allowances such as hardship allowance (50 per cent of basic salary) and constituency allowance (250 per cent of basic salary), among others.
When statutory allowances are factored in, a rough estimate puts the total annual compensation at approximately ₦30,525,000, which would bring the four-year donation to approximately ₦122.1 million
Tinubu emphasised that the fund will provide targeted support separate from existing insurance or military welfare programmes.
“Create a special funding for them, regardless of what insurance or what military or the armed forces might have been doing,” the President said.
The initiative, described as rooted in “a solemn national obligation,” will support injured service members, widows, widowers, and children of military personnel who lost their lives in service to Nigeria.
The President specifically highlighted support for soldiers who suffered severe injuries in the line of duty.
“Those who might have lost limbs or arms, we will be able to give them hope and a better promise for the future. Nigeria will overcome this problem of insecurity,” he declared.
He called on state governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, his friends, and well-wishers to contribute to the fund.
“Let’s put our hands together to donate, especially to that account,” Tinubu urged governors and lawmakers present.
In a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described the President’s donation of nearly three years of salaries as “seed funding” to reinforce his resolve that those who have borne the cost of Nigeria’s peace and security are not forgotten.
The statement emphasised that supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families “is not an act of charity, but a duty that all must fulfil.”
“President Tinubu emphasised that the initiative is rooted in a solemn national obligation to care for those who stand in harm’s way and the families who carry the burden of their sacrifice, irrespective of insurance programmes available to members of the armed forces,” the statement noted.
The Presidency stated that details of the fund would be made available in due course.
The President expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to defeat insurgency through continued investment in military equipment and national unity.
“We will invest in armament to defeat the insurgents. We will put it together with you, this type of unity, I’ve not imagined it myself. But I thank all of you,” Tinubu stated.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the welfare of military personnel and ensuring that their service to the nation “is matched with dignity, care, and sustained support.”
The announcement comes as the Armed Forces continue to battle multiple security challenges, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgencies in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central regions, and various forms of criminality across the country.
Thousands of military personnel have been killed or wounded in action over the past decade, with many families left without adequate support despite existing military welfare schemes.
The President made his announcement after Islamic leaders led special prayers at the National Mosque, Abuja, to mark his 74th birthday.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the prayer at the National Mosque, Tinubu assured Nigerians that the country would overcome current challenges, including electricity supply, transportation cost hikes, and expected inflation.
He acknowledged the difficulties facing the nation while expressing confidence in Nigeria’s resilience.
“We are challenged. There is the problem of electricity, there’s a problem of transportation hike, and there’s a problem of expected inflation as a result of the war that we have no control over.
“But we will overcome it. We are a resilient nation that is very, very committed and resilient to the way of Almighty God; we will overcome all hardship,” Tinubu stated.
The President described his 74th birthday as “a solemn day, a day to give thanks to Almighty Allah, sparing our lives and making things easy for me, family and all the team members.”
He attributed the nation’s current difficulties to external factors beyond Nigeria’s control.
“We are going through a very difficult period, which is not our own making, as a result of the War in the Middle East.
“We pray to Almighty Allah to bring peace and stability to the rest of the world,” the President said.
Over 300 Islamic scholars from various sects across Nigeria participated in the prayers, which included the recitation of the complete Holy Quran 111 times.
The Sultan of Sokoto, represented by the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, alongside other prominent traditional rulers, led the special prayers focusing on seeking Allah’s guidance, wisdom, good health, and strength for the President.
The Sultan representative had earlier led prominent traditional rulers and Islamic scholars in special prayers for the President at the National Mosque.
The Etsu Nupe described the gathering as a solemn spiritual exercise rather than a celebration, emphasising the need for continuous prayers for national peace, unity, and development.
He appealed for government support towards the maintenance and welfare needs of the National Mosque.
The Emir of Keffi, Chindo Yamusa, commended the President’s efforts to address economic challenges and support states, noting that interventions in salary payments and infrastructure development were already yielding benefits, particularly in Nasarawa State.
Islamic scholars from various sects across Nigeria offered prayers for the President’s well-being and for the country’s stability.
The birthday prayers drew governors, ministers, politicians, and worshippers from across the country to the National Mosque.
Earlier, in a message, Tinubu expressed hope for a better Nigeria on his 74th birthday, declaring that he sees “a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.”
He asserted that the sacrifices faced by Nigerians as a result of reforms by his administration would not be in vain.
Tinubu has consistently maintained that his administration’s reform agenda is yielding results, citing achievements including infrastructure development, tax reforms, declining inflation, and improved investor confidence.
He pledged that his administration is determined to confront current challenges, expressing confidence that, with continued support from Nigerians, the country will overcome.
He said, “We are determined to confront some of the challenges we face today, and with your continued support, we shall overcome.
“As I mark this special day, I am reminded of the challenges we’ve faced since we initiated our reforms. I’m glad that our sacrifices have not been in vain, as we can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, despite the temporary setback caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis.”
The President said he was convinced that reforms are aimed at building a brighter future for citizens and generations to come.
“As we march towards the third anniversary of our administration, it is my deepest conviction that we shall succeed in building a brighter future for our citizens and future generations,” Tinubu declared.
He emphasised that credit for positive outcomes achieved by his administration belongs to the collective effort of Nigerians.
“The credit for the positive outcomes we have achieved does not belong solely to me, our Renewed Hope team, or our government. We achieved the gains together,” he stated.
He called for continued collaboration to build a stronger, prosperous, and more resilient nation.
“Let us continue to work together to build a stronger, prosperous and more resilient nation that will make Nigeria the pride of Africa,” he noted.
Tinubu particularly thanked Nigerians for the plethora of birthday messages showing love and solidarity.
The PUNCH