President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a new salary structure for personnel of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, introducing significant increases across different ranks of the military.
The new salary arrangement is expected to benefit about 250,000 personnel serving in the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, with the revised pay scheduled to take effect from September 1, 2026.
Under the new structure, military personnel will receive salary increases ranging from 30 per cent to 80 per cent, with lower ranking personnel receiving some of the largest percentage increases...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
A Private, which is the entry level rank in the Nigerian Army, will now earn ₦187,200 monthly, compared with the previous salary of about ₦104,000. This represents an increase of ₦83,200.
A Lance Corporal will receive ₦201,600, while a Corporal will earn ₦207,000 monthly. The salary of a Sergeant has also been increased to ₦225,000, while a Staff Sergeant will receive ₦270,000.
For senior non commissioned officers, a Warrant Officer will earn ₦306,000 monthly, while a Master Warrant Officer will receive ₦315,000. An Army Warrant Officer will earn ₦345,000 under the new structure.
The upward review continues into the commissioned officer ranks. A Second Lieutenant will earn ₦360,000 monthly, while a Lieutenant will receive ₦420,000. A Captain will earn ₦480,000, while a Major will receive ₦570,000.
A Lieutenant Colonel will now earn ₦630,000 monthly, while the salary of a Colonel has been increased to ₦870,000.
At the senior command level, a Brigadier General will receive ₦975,000 monthly, while a Major General will earn approximately ₦1.495 million.
A Lieutenant General will now receive ₦2.47 million monthly, while the highest ranking officer, a General, will earn ₦3.25 million under the new arrangement.
The salary adjustment represents a major increase in the Federal Government’s financial commitment to military personnel. The annual salary bill for the Armed Forces is expected to rise from approximately ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion, representing an additional ₦264 billion in yearly expenditure.
The government’s decision comes at a time when Nigerian troops remain heavily involved in operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across different parts of the country.
The larger percentage increases for junior personnel are particularly significant because soldiers in the lower ranks are frequently deployed to frontline operational areas. The new structure therefore represents an attempt to improve the financial welfare of personnel who operate in some of the country’s most challenging security environments.
The revised salaries are also coming amid concerns over the rising cost of living and the financial pressures faced by military families. For many personnel, the increase could provide additional support for household expenses and improve their overall welfare.
The government has also linked improved military welfare to the broader objective of strengthening national security. Better remuneration is expected to contribute to troop morale and help the Armed Forces maintain an effective workforce capable of responding to security challenges.
The salary review covers personnel across the Armed Forces rather than only the Nigerian Army. This means members of the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force within the applicable ranks are also expected to benefit from the revised structure.
However, the new figures represent basic salary adjustments and should not necessarily be interpreted as the total amount every military personnel will receive in monthly take home pay. Military earnings can also include applicable allowances and other benefits depending on rank, posting, responsibilities and operational circumstances.
With the new structure scheduled to begin on September 1, military personnel and their families will now be watching closely for the implementation of the approved package.
The development marks one of the most significant recent changes to military remuneration in Nigeria and comes as the government seeks to strengthen the welfare of personnel serving in the country’s security forces.
For soldiers on the frontline and their families, the biggest question will now be whether the salary increase will translate into meaningful improvements in their standard of living and welfare.
The new structure nevertheless represents a substantial financial commitment by the Federal Government, with billions of naira being added annually to the military wage bill.
As the September implementation date approaches, the salary review is expected to remain a major talking point among military personnel, security stakeholders and Nigerians interested in the welfare of those serving to protect the country.
