Tinubu to Announce Fresh Military Pay Raise, Defence Minister Says

Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (Retired) announced on Monday that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will unveil forthcoming salary increases for Nigeria's Armed Forces personnel. Speaking at a training and financial empowerment workshop for military widows and wives at Lungi Barracks in Abuja, Musa characterized the planned raise as reflecting the Federal Government's dedication to bolstering troop welfare and military readiness amid the nation's evolving security landscape.

The disclosure follows implementation of a major pay adjustment for soldiers roughly two years prior. Musa, who previously served as Chief of Defence Staff, noted that during his earlier tenure military monthly salaries rose from around ₦49,000 to ₦100,000.

Government efforts are currently focused on securing yet another upward revision of compensation levels, though the Monday event yielded no specific wage amounts or announcement dates. Growing recognition of financial strain affecting Armed Forces personnel and their dependents has driven the compensation initiative forward.

At the same workshop, the Defence Ministry disbursed ₦25 million to 500 spouses and widows of service members, offering direct financial relief. Musa emphasized the importance of rewarding troops fairly given the considerable personal dangers and sacrifices required in military operations, especially within Nigeria's ongoing internal security engagements.

Musa confirmed that President Tinubu will formally disclose details regarding the salary review, though neither the timing nor the specific new pay scales were indicated during the Monday gathering. The Defence Minister's remarks constitute official government acknowledgement of salary increase intentions, but concrete particulars of the proposed adjustment await the president's public statement.