Policy Review: What the New Armed Forces Salary Increase Means for Nigeria's Security and Public Accountability

Policy Review: What the New Armed Forces Salary Increase Means for Nigeria's Security and Public Accountability

Authors: Bernard Daniel and Hauwa Tauhid

President Bola Tinubu has approved salary increase of between 30% and 80% for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, with implementation scheduled to commence on Tuesday 1st September 2026.

The new salary structure announced via the Presidency's official X handle @NGRPresident on Wednesday 5th August 2026 and detailed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, will benefit approximately 250,000 personnel serving in the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force. The annual wage bill for the Armed Forces will rise from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion, representing an additional ₦264 billion in personnel expenditure.

While the policy has drawn praise from military officials and lawmakers, it also raises significant questions about fiscal sustainability, implementation transparency and whether improved pay alone can resolve the deep seated institutional challenges facing Nigeria's armed forces.

The Salary Structure

Under the new remuneration package, the increases are distributed across ranks with 30% for officers above the rank of Colonel, 50% for personnel from Colonel down to Warrant Officer, and 80% for personnel from Private to Staff Sergeant.

The tiered structure deliberately favours junior ranks, who receive the highest percentage increase. This follows Defence Minister Christopher Musa's announcement in July 2026 that the minimum monthly salary for soldiers had been raised from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000. However, analysts note that even this new baseline, which the minister described as "historic", remains modest given Nigeria's current inflationary pressures.

The Context

The salary review comes amid longstanding complaints from military personnel over inadequate compensation and alleged diversion of allowances.

A September 2025 report showed that soldiers deployed in operations against Boko Haram in the North-East were receiving only ₦20,000 out of a ₦100,000 "Scarce Skills Allowance" approved by the Federal Government. The report quoted aggrieved soldiers stating that the shortfall had persisted since 2017, despite approvals dating back to the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The same investigation revealed that troops were also subjected to poor feeding conditions, with commanders allegedly receiving ₦90,000 monthly per soldier for meals but providing substandard rations.

A serving junior officer at Ojo Cantonment, Lagos, confirmed that morale had been "very low" and that many soldiers resort to "hustling" during off duty hours, including riding Okada or driving commercial buses to supplement their income.

Official Reactions

The salary increase has received broad support from government officials and lawmakers. Defence Minister Christopher Musa, who had previously promised upon assuming office in December 2025 to prioritise troop welfare, described the decision as a "historic increase" that demonstrates the government's readiness to back its security commitments with concrete financial support.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North, declared the move a "bold investment in national security" and challenged troops to repay the government's confidence with renewed determination against terrorism and banditry.

Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawcalledan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, described the review as "one of the most significant investments in military welfare in recent years" and called for stronger joint operations and intelligence sharing among all branches of the Armed Forces.

The Fiscal Reality

The salary increase must be viewed within the broader context of Nigeria's defence spending. According to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, the Ministry of Defence is allocated ₦3.154 trillion with ₦2.392 trillion — approximately 75% — earmarked for personnel costs, covering salaries, allowances and benefits.

The Nigerian Army remains the largest recipient, with a total allocation of ₦1.504 trillion, of which personnel costs alone exceed ₦1.25 trillion. The Navy receives ₦443.92 billion, while the Air Force is allocated ₦407.15 billion.

However, experts have raised concerns about the capital-to-personnel ratio. With personnel and overhead costs accounting for over 75 per cent of the defence budget, capital investment — including equipment procurement, arms, ammunition, and infrastructure — remains underfunded.

An overview of the 2025 budget performance revealed that of the ₦20.56 billion budgeted by the Nigerian Army for security equipment, only ₦1.46 billion — constituting 7.11% — was disbursed as of December 2025. For the Air Force, just ₦5.25 billion — making 33.33% of the ₦15.75 billion budgeted for security equipment — was released.

Expert Views

Analysts and security experts have welcomed the pay raise but caution that it must be accompanied by broader institutional reforms. Onyewuchi Akagbule, an academic and economist, stated that while a pay raise is necessary, it "always comes with additional burdens on the government and also impacts inflation." He expressed concern that the government may need to borrow more to meet the growing financial burden, "sadly mortgaging the future of the unborn generations."

Bem Hembafan, a retired senior officer who now runs a private security firm, argued that the morale boost from the pay raise is a "win-win for Nigerians" but warned that "the psyche of the new generation soldiers is different." "They often weigh the sacrifice, the love of life and country. So, when there is nothing to boost their morale, they will prefer safety to sacrifice," he said.

An anonymous senior officer expressed mixed feelings, noting that while the pay raise is commendable, "the harsh economic realities make the raise less impactful due to high inflation." "By September, we will have more money in our pockets, but it will buy less things," he added.

Equal Justice Initiative's Perspective

At the Equal Justice Initiative, we recognise that policies affecting national security institutions deserve balanced public discourse rooted in evidence, transparency and accountability.

Supporting the welfare of members of the Armed Forces is a legitimate public policy objective. Equally important is ensuring that significant public expenditure is implemented within the framework of fiscal responsibility, transparency and the rule of law.

As this policy takes effect, continued public access to information on funding, implementation and measurable outcomes will be essential to promoting informed civic engagement and strengthening accountability in public governance.