Nigeria's Military Announces Major Pay Increase for Personnel

Effective September 1, 2026, the Nigerian military will introduce a new pay scale that increases salaries for personnel by 30% to 80% depending on their rank. The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The new pay structure is expected to benefit around 250,000 military personnel, raising the annual salary bill for the Armed Forces from N660 billion to N924 billion. Officers above the rank of Colonel will receive a 30% increase, while personnel from Colonel down to Warrant Officer will see a 50% increase.

Privates to Staff Sergeants will receive an 80% increase. Minister of Defence Christopher Musa previously noted that the minimum monthly salary for soldiers was raised from N49,000 to N100,000, which has been criticized for being insufficient in light of rising living costs.

President Tinubu stated that this pay increase recognizes the sacrifices of military personnel in combating banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, emphasizing the administration's commitment to troop welfare.