Defence Minister Praises Salary Hike for Armed Forces

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a significant salary increase for personnel of the Armed Forces, ranging from 30% to 80%. This decision, announced on Tuesday, is set to take effect from September 1, 2026, and will benefit approximately 250,000 personnel across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The new pay structure includes an 80% increase for soldiers from the rank of private to staff sergeant, a 50% increase for warrant officers to colonels, and a 30% raise for senior officers from brigadier-general to general. The annual personnel cost will rise from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.

Musa stated that this salary review would alleviate financial hardships for military personnel and enhance operational effectiveness in combating insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping. He urged military personnel to view this increase as a renewed call to duty and reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to modernizing military equipment and improving personnel welfare.