President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major salary increase of between 30 and 80 per cent for approximately 250,000 armed forces personnel.
Taking effect on 1 September 2026, the new package elevates the nation’s annual military wage bill from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion, a net annual addition of ₦264 billion.
Detailing the announcement in a signed statement on Tuesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the graduated pay structure scales inversely with rank. Junior personnel are set to gain the highest relative percentage increases:
Privates to Staff Sergeants: 80 per cent increase
Warrant Officers up to Colonels: 50 per cent increase
Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant-Generals, and Generals: 30 per cent increase
President Tinubu tied the financial package directly to the severe sacrifices made by troops confronting terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping nationwide.
“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 remarked.
Stressing that the administration remains resolute in mobilising all military assets and providing necessary technological tools, Tinubu urged the armed forces to view the wage enhancement as a demonstration of deep national gratitude.
“Together we shall prevail over the enemies intent on destroying the fabric of our nation,” he declared.