Nigerian Soldiers Begin Receiving New Pay as 80% Salary Increase Reflects in Accounts

Personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces have begun receiving their September salaries under the new remuneration structure approved by the Federal Government, with the Defence Headquarters confirming that the revised pay has started reflecting in military personnel’s accounts.

The development follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval in August of salary increases ranging from 30 per cent to 80 per cent for personnel across the Armed Forces. The new structure officially took effect from September 1, 2026.

The Defence Headquarters confirmed the implementation on Wednesday, with the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, telling newsmen that personnel had started receiving their September salaries with the approved increases incorporated into their payments.

Reports from military personnel also indicate that the adjustment is being felt at the lower ranks. Sources reported that some soldiers said their new salaries began appearing in their accounts from Wednesday evening, with personnel from Private to Staff Sergeant among those entitled to the full 80 per cent increase.

According to figures provided by soldiers to the publication, a Private who previously earned approximately ₦103,000 now receives about ₦190,000, while a Lance Corporal previously earning around ₦110,000 is reportedly receiving approximately ₦202,000 under the revised structure. These individual figures were reported as accounts from serving personnel rather than an official salary table released by the Defence Headquarters.

The approved structure does not give every military personnel an 80 per cent increase. Under the government’s announcement, personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant are entitled to an 80 per cent increase, while personnel from Warrant Officer to Colonel receive 50 per cent. Officers above the rank of Colonel are entitled to a 30 per cent increase.

About 250,000 Armed Forces personnel are expected to benefit from the new arrangement, which increases the Federal Government’s annual military personnel wage bill from approximately ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.

The salary review was presented by the government as part of wider efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel and recognise the sacrifices of troops involved in operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across the country. Defence Minister Christopher Musa had described the adjustment as a boost to the welfare and morale of personnel.

The implementation comes after months of public discussion about the remuneration and welfare of Nigerian military personnel. In July, then Defence Minister Christopher Musa disclosed that the government had already increased the minimum monthly salary of soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000, while stressing the need for further improvements in military welfare.

With the September salary now being paid under the revised structure, the latest development marks the commencement of the government’s approved 30–80 per cent military pay adjustment. While the 80 per cent figure applies specifically to the junior ranks covered by the new structure, the Defence Headquarters’ confirmation indicates that implementation has moved from approval to actual payment.