Tinubu to Announce New Salary Increase for Armed Forces Personnel – Defence Minister
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon announce a new salary increase for personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria as part of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to improving the welfare of troops and recognising their sacrifices in safeguarding the nation.
General Musa made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja during a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop organised for widows and wives of military personnel, where he reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to promoting policies and strategic partnerships that enhance the welfare of service members and their families.
The workshop, themed “Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,” was organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
Speaking at the event, the Defence Minister recalled that during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff, efforts by the military leadership led to an increase in the salary of soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000.
He disclosed that the government is currently working towards another upward review of military salaries to further improve the welfare of personnel.
“A few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving ₦100,000. When I was Chief of Defence Staff, they were receiving ₦49,000. We successfully pushed for the increase to ₦100,000, and we are making further efforts to improve it. I am confident that very soon, Mr. President will announce another salary increase for our men,” the minister said.
General Musa stressed that a strong and effective military depends not only on modern equipment and well-trained personnel but also on the economic stability and well-being of the families supporting service members.
He commended military spouses for their resilience and unwavering support, noting that their sacrifices play a critical role in sustaining the morale of personnel deployed on operational duties across the country.
The minister also paid tribute to widows of fallen service members, describing their courage and perseverance as a lasting source of inspiration.
“To the spouses gathered here today, your resilience, patience and steadfast support give your loved ones the confidence to remain focused on their responsibilities. To our widows whose husbands served Nigeria with honour, your strength and perseverance in the face of loss remain an enduring source of inspiration,” he said.
Earlier, the Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii, announced that the agency had disbursed ₦25 million to 500 widows and wives of soldiers currently serving on the frontlines to support their small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures.
Odii explained that the initiative forms part of a nationwide programme aimed at equipping beneficiaries with financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills, and access to economic opportunities while promoting financial inclusion.
He noted that the programme would be extended across the country to empower more military families with the knowledge and resources needed to build sustainable livelihoods.
The event was attended by the wife of the Minister of Defence, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, senior officials of the ministry, representatives of SMEDAN, development partners, and other key stakeholders committed to improving the welfare of military personnel and their families.
Tinubu to Announce New Salary Increase for Armed Forces Personnel – Defence Minister