Soldiers Confirm New Pay As 80% Salary Increase Reflects In Accounts

Junior personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces have started receiving higher salaries following the implementation of the Federal Government’s approved pay adjustment.

Some soldiers told SaharaReporters on Thursday that the new salaries began appearing in their bank accounts on Wednesday evening, with personnel from Private to Staff Sergeant receiving an 80 per cent increase.

A Private who previously earned about N103,000 now receives approximately N190,000, while a Lance Corporal whose former salary stood at about N110,000 now gets around N202,000, according to the soldiers.

“Private soldiers N190k. Lance Corporal N202k, go on like that. It is exactly the 80 per cent as they promised,” one of the personnel said.

The reports from the soldiers align with the Presidency’s August announcement approving salary increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent for Armed Forces personnel.

Under the approved structure, Private to Staff Sergeant receive an 80 per cent increase, while Warrant Officers through Colonels get a 50 per cent rise. Officers above the rank of Colonel receive a 30 per cent increase.

The new pay structure took effect from September 1, 2026, and about 250,000 military personnel are expected to benefit from it.

The adjustment will also raise the annual salary bill for the Armed Forces from N660 billion to N924 billion, according to the Presidency.

Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, had earlier announced that military personnel had started receiving the revised salaries.

“I can categorically confirm that personnels of the Nigerian Military have now started receiving their newly increased salaries as approved by President @officialABAT in August,” Olusegun wrote.

He added that the adjustment was expected to improve the morale of troops serving in various operational theatres.

“Another critical factor that is expected to boost the morale of our frontline forces as we continue to win the war against insecurity,” he said.

President Tinubu announced the salary review in August, citing the sacrifices of military personnel involved in operations against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

“The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation,” Tinubu said in the statement announcing the approval.

The President also pledged continued attention to troop welfare, alongside the provision of weapons and technological equipment required for military operations.

The implementation comes as soldiers remain deployed across several parts of the country to tackle insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.

The salary review also follows longstanding complaints from some junior military personnel about pay and allowances.

In September 2025, soldiers reportedly raised concerns over unpaid allowances and what they described as inadequate salaries. They called for improved welfare packages that would reflect prevailing economic conditions.

Some of the personnel also alleged that their complaints had attracted threats from military authorities, while seeking a review of allowances.

The latest adjustment therefore represents a significant change in the pay structure for the lower ranks, particularly those from Private to Staff Sergeant, who are entitled to the highest percentage increase under the new arrangement.

The Presidency has linked the broader welfare measures to its effort to support personnel who serve in difficult operational environments. In March, Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of officers and men serving on the frontlines.