By Gami Tadanyigbe
Senate Committees on Defence and that of Army have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a major salary increase for the Nigerian Armed Forces, effective September 1st 2026.
In seperate statements the Chairman of the Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmad Lawan and that of Army Committee Senator Abdulaziz Yaradua described the increase as a mark of compassion and strategic leadeship.
Under the new structure, junior ranks from Private to Staff Sergeant will get an 80 percent pay rise, Warrant Officers to Colonels get 50 percent, while senior officers up to the rank of General get 30 percent.
The committees said by this increase, the wage bill rises from 660 billion naira to 924 billion naira yearly, benefiting about 250,000 personnel.
Both committees added that the move would boost morale, and therefore urged the military to respond with greater efficiency and unity across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.