President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a fresh salary increase for approximately 250,000 personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in what is expected to be one of the most significant military welfare packages introduced in recent years.

The new salary structure, which will take effect from September 1, 2026, covers personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force. Under the approved package, military personnel across different ranks will receive varying salary increases, with junior personnel benefiting the most.

According to the approved structure, officers above the rank of Colonel, including Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant-Generals and Generals, will receive a 30 per cent salary increase. Personnel from the rank of Colonel down to Warrant Officer will enjoy a 50 per cent increase, while soldiers from Private to Staff Sergeant will receive the highest adjustment with an 80 per cent salary increase.

The latest approval follows repeated assurances by the Federal Government that improving the welfare of military personnel remains central to strengthening national security and boosting the morale of troops engaged in counter-terrorism, anti-banditry, anti-kidnapping and other security operations across the country.

The announcement also comes weeks after the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru Abubakar, disclosed that President Tinubu was considering another salary review for members of the Armed Forces. The minister had made the disclosure during a training and financial empowerment programme for widows and wives of military personnel held at Lungi Barracks in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to rewarding the sacrifices made by soldiers defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting citizens from growing security threats.

“I am confident that very soon Mr President will announce another salary increase for our men,” the minister had said.

The minister also recalled previous efforts to improve military remuneration, revealing that when he served as Chief of Defence Staff, the monthly salary of an entry-level soldier stood at ₦49,000.

“When I was Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers were receiving ₦49,000. About two years ago, I pushed for an increase to ₦100,000, and that was achieved. We are however making further efforts to increase it again,” he stated.

Badaru acknowledged that while the increase to ₦100,000 represented a major improvement, the Federal Government recognised the need to further enhance the welfare of military personnel in view of rising economic challenges and the demanding nature of their responsibilities.

“The Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that military personnel are adequately rewarded for the sacrifices they make in safeguarding the nation,” he added.

The minister reiterated that improving welfare remains a strategic priority for the Tinubu administration, noting that better salaries, improved living conditions and enhanced support for military families are critical to maintaining an effective fighting force.

Earlier, on July 9, 2026, the minister had announced that the minimum monthly salary for Nigerian soldiers had increased from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000, describing the move as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening the Armed Forces.

“When they started, a soldier was collecting ₦49,000 monthly. We tried so hard, now he’s collecting ₦100,000,” he had said while acknowledging that additional funding was still required to adequately equip and motivate the military.

The newly approved salary review is expected to significantly improve the financial wellbeing of military personnel, particularly junior officers and rank-and-file soldiers who will benefit from the largest percentage increase. Analysts believe the move could enhance troop morale, improve retention within the Armed Forces and strengthen ongoing military operations against insurgency, banditry and other forms of insecurity across the country.

The implementation of the new salary structure from September 1 marks another step in the Federal Government’s broader military reform agenda aimed at improving personnel welfare while enhancing the operational effectiveness of Nigeria’s armed forces.