Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Gen. Christopher Musa (Retd.), has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon announce another salary increase for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to improve military welfare.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Retd.), has disclosed that Nigerian soldiers and other personnel of the Armed Forces may soon receive another salary increase under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Musa said the planned salary adjustment is part of the Federal Government’s continued efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel and reward the sacrifices of officers and soldiers who are serving the country in challenging and dangerous operational environments.
The Defence Minister made the disclosure in Abuja during a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop organised for widows and wives of military personnel.
The event, held at Lungi Barracks, was organised by the Ministry of Defence in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
The workshop was organised under the theme, “Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development.”
Tinubu set to approve fresh military salary increase
Speaking at the event, Musa recalled that the salary of military personnel had previously been increased from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000, following efforts to improve the financial welfare of soldiers.
He said the government was still working towards another upward review of military salaries, expressing confidence that President Tinubu would soon make an announcement regarding the proposed increase.
“I want to state here that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving ₦100,000, and I know that generated both positive and negative reactions,” Musa said.
The minister explained that the increase from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000 was secured about two years ago after he pushed for improved remuneration while serving as Chief of Defence Staff.
“When I was Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers were receiving ₦49,000. About two years ago, I pushed for an increase to ₦100,000, and that was achieved,” he said.
Musa, however, disclosed that further efforts were underway to improve the salaries of military personnel.
“We are, however, making further efforts to increase it again. We know our President is a listening father who understands the sacrifices our troops are making and is committed to ensuring they are well remunerated.
“So, I am confident that very soon Mr. President will announce another salary increase for our men,” he added.
The expected salary increase comes as Nigerian military personnel continue to carry out operations against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats in different parts of the country.
Defence Minister highlights sacrifices of military families
Beyond the welfare of serving personnel, Musa stressed the need for greater attention to the families of military officers and soldiers.
He noted that many members of the Armed Forces spend long periods away from their families while serving in frontline and other operational areas.
According to him, the sacrifices made by military personnel are also felt by their spouses, children and dependants, who are often left to manage family responsibilities while their loved ones are deployed.
“Every day, our personnel confront complex security challenges in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the protection of the lives and property of our citizens.
“Many serve in difficult operational environments, separated from their families for extended periods and exposed to considerable risks. While their courage and sacrifice are rightly celebrated, we must equally recognise the invaluable role played by the families who stand firmly behind them,” Musa said.
He praised the wives of serving military personnel for their resilience, patience and continued support, noting that their contribution helps soldiers remain focused on their duties.
“To the spouses gathered here today, your resilience, patience and steadfast support give your loved ones the confidence to remain focused on their responsibilities,” the minister said.
Musa also paid tribute to widows whose husbands lost their lives while serving the country, describing their strength and perseverance as an inspiration.
“To our widows whose husbands served Nigeria with honour and distinction, your strength and perseverance in the face of loss remain an enduring source of inspiration,” he added.
Why Military family welfare matters
The Defence Minister maintained that the effectiveness of the Nigerian Armed Forces depends not only on the quality of military personnel, training and equipment but also on the economic stability of their families.
Musa explained that financially secure military families are better positioned to cope with the pressures associated with military life.
He said personnel deployed to operational theatres would be able to concentrate more effectively on their assignments when they are confident that their families are adequately supported.
“When military families are economically secure, they are better positioned to withstand the unique demands of military life. This gives service personnel the confidence that their loved ones are well supported, allowing them to concentrate fully on their operational responsibilities,” he said.
“Strengthening the economic resilience of military families is therefore an important investment in the effectiveness of our Armed Forces and the security of our nation.”
Musa said the entrepreneurship programme was designed to equip military spouses and widows with practical skills that could help them establish and manage sustainable businesses.
He explained that the initiative would enable beneficiaries to generate income, improve their financial independence and contribute to economic development.
The minister also commended President Tinubu for his administration’s efforts to improve the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and their families.
SMEDAN disburses ₦25 million to military families
Meanwhile, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, disclosed that the agency had disbursed ₦25 million to 500 widows and wives of soldiers serving in frontline areas.
Odii said the financial support was part of the empowerment programme aimed at helping beneficiaries establish or expand small businesses and improve their household income.
He said the intervention aligned with the Tinubu administration’s efforts to strengthen small businesses and create more economic opportunities for Nigerians.
According to Odii, President Tinubu approved a ₦200 billion intervention fund after assuming office to support businesses operating across different sectors of the economy.
He explained that the intervention fund was divided into three major components.
The first ₦75 billion was allocated as single-digit interest loans for manufacturers, while another ₦75 billion was earmarked for single-digit interest loans to support small businesses.
The remaining ₦50 billion was designated as grants for nano-businesses, which include the beneficiaries of the military families’ empowerment programme.
Odii urged the beneficiaries to use the financial support as seed capital to build sustainable businesses rather than spend the funds without creating a source of income.
SMEDAN promises more support for successful beneficiaries
The SMEDAN boss assured the beneficiaries that the empowerment initiative was not necessarily a one-off intervention.
He explained that beneficiaries who properly invest the funds, grow their businesses and demonstrate measurable progress could receive additional financial assistance in the future.
“If you take the seed money we are giving you, invest it in your business, and the business grows, we will come back here in another year and double the amount we have given you,” Odii said.
He added that SMEDAN would monitor the businesses established by beneficiaries to ensure that the funds were used for their intended purposes.
The monitoring exercise, according to him, would also help the agency identify entrepreneurs who are successfully growing their businesses and may qualify for further support.
The latest announcement by the Defence Minister is expected to generate renewed interest among military personnel and their families, particularly as the Armed Forces continue to play a central role in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges.
If eventually approved and implemented, another salary increase would represent a further step towards improving the financial welfare of Nigerian soldiers and other military personnel.
The Federal Government’s focus on military family empowerment, alongside possible improvements in military salaries, could also help strengthen morale within the Armed Forces and provide greater economic stability for families affected by the demanding nature of military service.
