Nigeria's President Tinubu approves up to 80% pay rise for armed forces
President Bola Tinubu has signed a new salary structure for the Nigerian Armed Forces that will take effect on 1 September 2026. The pay rise ranges from 30 % for officers above the rank of colonel, to 50 % for personnel from colonel down to warrant officer, and up to 80 % for soldiers from private to staff sergeant. About 250,000 military personnel are expected to benefit. The adjustment lifts the annual wage bill from roughly N660 billion to N924 billion, an increase of N264 billion. The government says the move is intended to improve troop welfare and support ongoing operations against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and terrorism. The announcement was made by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and was welcomed by the defence minister and other officials as a morale‑boosting measure for the forces.
The salary review is part of Tinubu’s broader security strategy, which also includes modernising equipment and expanding military deployments across the country.
Entities: Bayo Onanuga · Bola Tinubu · Christopher Musa · Federal Government of Nigeria · Nigeria · Nigerian Armed Forces · Nigerian Ministry of Defence · President Bola Tinubu
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 29 SOURCES] Soldiers from private to staff sergeant will receive an 80% salary increase. (new)
- [● 29 SOURCES] The salary increase is intended to improve troop welfare and support security operations against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism. (new)
- [● 29 SOURCES] President Bola Tinubu approved a salary increase for Nigerian Armed Forces personnel ranging from 30% to 80% effective 1 September 2026. (new)
- [● 29 SOURCES] The salary increase will benefit about 250,000 military personnel. (new)
- [DISPUTED] Officers above the rank of colonel will receive a 30% salary increase. (new)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Entry‑level base pay of N100,000 will rise to about N180,000. (Presidency of Nigeria)
- [DISPUTED] Personnel from colonel down to warrant officer will receive a 50% salary increase. (new)
- [● 29 SOURCES] The annual wage bill for the armed forces will rise from N660 billion to N924 billion, an increase of N264 billion. (new)