Nigeria: Bola Tinubu approves a pay raise for the army

Nigeria is significantly increasing the pay of its armed forces. President Bola Tinubu has approved a salary increase ranging from 30% to 80%, according to an announcement from the presidency reported on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

The new scale will take effect on September 1. It will affect about 250,000 members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The stated goal is to improve the living conditions of military personnel and boost troop morale, as Nigerian forces remain engaged on several security fronts.

The increase prioritizes lower ranks. Military personnel from the rank of soldier to staff sergeant will receive an 80% increase. For warrant officers and officers up to the rank of colonel, the increase will be 50%, while general officers will receive an increase of 30%.

Military payroll increased to 924 billion naira

This measure will have a significant impact on public spending. The annual payroll of the armed forces is expected to rise from about 660 billion to 924 billion naira, representing an increase of 264 billion naira.

The decision extends several measures adopted in recent months in favor of military personnel. In July, Defense Minister Christopher Musa indicated that the monthly minimum wage for a soldier had already been raised from 49,000 to 100,000 naira and announced that new discussions were underway with the presidency to further improve salaries.

In March, Bola Tinubu also announced the creation of a special fund for soldiers injured in operations as well as for the families of soldiers who died in service. The president promised to deposit all salaries earned since his inauguration as an initial contribution.

The salary increase coincides with an expansion of military personnel. At the end of July, Bola Tinubu approved the increase of the Army from eight to twelve divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 additional soldiers. Four new divisions are to be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City.

Nigeria continues to face several security challenges. The armed forces are fighting Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa in the northeast, while armed banditry and kidnappings affect several states in the northwest and central regions. Authorities are also dealing with communal violence and separatist tensions in the southeast.

By prioritizing lower-ranking personnel in the new scale, Abuja aims to directly improve the pay of soldiers deployed in the field. The salary reform is part of a broader program that includes recruiting new personnel, acquiring equipment, and improving housing and service conditions.