Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a major salary increase for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, describing the decision as an important step towards improving the welfare and morale of troops fighting insecurity across the country.
Ndume, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Army, however, urged the President to go further by ensuring that funds meant for military personnel and operations are transferred directly to the Armed Forces without unnecessary bureaucratic delays.
The senator said the recent salary review would provide much needed motivation for soldiers and officers who continue to operate in difficult environments while confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
President Tinubu recently approved salary increases ranging from 30 per cent to 80 per cent for about 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The new salary structure is expected to take effect from September 2026.
Under the approved arrangement, officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier generals, major generals, lieutenant generals and generals, will receive a 30 per cent increase.
Personnel from the rank of colonel down to warrant officer will receive a 50 per cent increase, while soldiers from the rank of private to staff sergeant will benefit from an 80 per cent salary increase.
The adjustment is expected to increase the annual wage bill of the Armed Forces from about N660 billion to N924 billion.
Ndume described the salary review as a positive development, noting that improved remuneration could contribute significantly to the morale and commitment of military personnel serving in challenging conditions.
He also linked the salary adjustment to the recent expansion of Nigeria’s military structure, saying the increase in military divisions from eight to 12, combined with improved welfare, suggests a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s response to insecurity.
However, the senator stressed that better salaries alone would not be enough to address the security challenges confronting Nigeria. He called for a more efficient funding system that would enable the military to receive approved funds promptly and deploy them where they are most urgently required.
According to him, bureaucratic procedures involving government ministries can delay access to funds needed for military operations. He therefore urged the President to consider placing the annual budget of the Armed Forces on a first line charge arrangement.
Ndume also advocated direct statutory transfers from the Federation Account to the military, arguing that such an arrangement could reduce delays and allow the Armed Forces to operate more effectively.
The senator maintained that soldiers need more than improved salaries to perform their duties effectively. He said adequate weapons, equipment, logistics, welfare and timely access to operational funds are equally important in strengthening the country’s fight against terrorism and other forms of insecurity.
The call comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face security challenges in several parts of the country, with military personnel involved in operations against terrorist groups, armed bandits, kidnappers and other criminal networks.
Ndume expressed confidence that the combination of improved remuneration, stronger military structures and better funding could help enhance the effectiveness of security forces.
He also commended Tinubu for responding to longstanding concerns about the welfare of military personnel, describing the salary review as evidence that the government is paying attention to legitimate demands for improved conditions of service.
The latest development is expected to generate further discussion about military welfare and the most effective way to fund Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly as troops continue to operate on multiple fronts.
For the senator, ensuring that the approved funds reach the Armed Forces promptly is just as important as approving the salary increase itself, as effective funding remains crucial to the ability of military personnel to protect lives, secure communities and combat threats across the country.
