Tinubu approves 30% to 80% salary increase for soldiers

Nigerian military personnel are henceforth to enjoy 30-80 per cent increase in their salaries.

President Bola Tinubu has on Tuesday 4th August, 2026 announced his approval of salary increase to boost morale of nearly 250,000 soldiers in Nigeria.

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The upward review will take effect from 1st September, 2026.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and made available to journalists, said, “the graduated structure of the increase scales inversely with rank, with the highest percentage increases going to the most junior personnel.”

Under the new arrangement, he said officers above the rank of colonel, Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals, will receive a 30 per cent salary increase.

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“Personnel ranking from colonel down to warrant officer will receive a 50 per cent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant will receive an 80 per cent increase.

“The pay package will raise the annual salary bill for the armed forces from N660 billion to N924 billion, an increase of N264 billion.”

Tinubu said, militar deserves payrise, given their sacrifices in tackling terrorism and other forms of insecurity 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.”

Tinubu said troop welfare and military modernisation would remain a standing priority of his administration.

“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,” he said.

Tinubu tied the salary increase to his broader philosophy on national security saying, “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,” he said.

“I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland.”

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