President Tinubu signs off on up to 80% pay hike for Nigerian troops

In Abuja, President Bola Tinubu announced that Nigeria’s armed forces will receive salary hikes ranging from 30% for senior officers to 80% for lower-rank soldiers, starting 1 September. The increase, detailed by presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga, will raise the defence payroll to roughly 924 billion naira, up from 660 billion. Tinubu framed the raise as part of a broader effort to boost troop morale and upgrade equipment to tackle persistent threats, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandit gangs and kidnapping rings.

He emphasized that improving welfare is essential for maintaining an effective response to violence in the northeast, northwest, north-central and southeast regions. The decision follows years of heightened insecurity despite previous spending boosts. Officials said the government will continue to prioritize modernisation alongside the pay rise.