Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North) and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (Katsina Central) have praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a new salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
In separate statements personally signed on Tuesday in Abuja, the lawmakers described the presidential approval as a timely intervention that would boost the morale of military personnel and strengthen the ongoing efforts to address the country’s security challenges.
The new salary structure, Senator Lawan said, was a vote of confidence in the Armed Forces to the tune of ₦264 billion and would boost morale in the fight against threats to national security.
He said the hike in the annual military wage bill from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion, showed the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of service personnel.
“This new salary structure, which rightly increases the annual wage bill from N660 billion to N924 billion, is a N264 billion vote of confidence in our Armed Forces.
“This investment will go a long way to boost the morale of the about 250,000 beneficiaries, and give them the psychological and material confidence required to confront the multiplicity of security threats facing our nation,” Senator Lawan said.
He said the approval is a proof of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to give priority to the welfare of military personnel who put their lives on the line to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty.
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The package was comprehensive and equitable, Senator Lawan said, as junior combat personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant would enjoy 80 per cent salary increase while personnel from the rank of Warrant Officer to Colonel would enjoy 50 per cent increment.
Senior officers up to the rank of General will also get a 30 per cent pay hike, he added.
The senator said the remuneration package is a reflection of the administration’s appreciation of the sacrifices of personnel at all levels of the Armed Forces.
The salary review, which takes effect from September 1, 2026, is equally a clear demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation of the courage, patriotism and sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces, Senator Yar’Adua said.
The package which covers about 250,000 personnel of all ranks, he said comes at a critical time when troops are engaged in the fight against banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and terrorism across the country.
“This welfare package will boost morale, restore dignity and reaffirm that their service does not go unnoticed at a time our troops are confronting the scourge of banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and terrorism in different parts of the country.
Senator Yar’Adua said, “The increase in the annual personnel wage bill from N660 billion to N924 billion is a demonstration of the seriousness of this administration in prioritising the welfare and modernization of our Armed Forces.
He assured that the Senate Committee on Army would continue to work with the Executive to ensure effective implementation of the new salary structure, while supporting efforts to improve military equipment and overall conditions of service for personnel of all ranks.
