ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has approved a salary increase ranging from 30 to 80 per cent for the country’s armed forces personnel, effective September 1, 2026.
Okay News reports that Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the development in a statement signed on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
The pay package will benefit approximately 250,000 military personnel and will raise the annual salary bill for the armed forces from N660 billion ($412.5 million) to N924 billion ($577.5 million), representing an increase of N264 billion ($165 million).
The graduated pay structure scales inversely with rank, providing the highest percentage increases to lower-ranking personnel. Officers above the rank of colonel, including Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant Generals, and Generals, will receive a 30 per cent increase. Personnel ranking from colonel down to warrant officer will receive a 50 per cent increase, while those ranking from private to staff sergeant will receive an 80 per cent increase.
President Tinubu stated that the pay rise is connected directly to the sacrifices made by personnel fighting banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism across regions of Nigeria.
“The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation,” President Tinubu said.
President Tinubu added that troop welfare and military modernization remain central objectives of the administration.
“Our administration will continue to prioritise troop welfare and modernise the armed forces by providing the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties,” President Tinubu said.
President Tinubu noted that national security is critical to the country’s development goals.
“Our administration believes that no nation can achieve greatness without security. We therefore remain resolute in mobilising all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians,” President Tinubu said.
“I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland,” President Tinubu said. “Together we shall prevail over the enemies intent on destroying the fabric of our nation.”
