The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has indicated that personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria may soon receive another salary increase, revealing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is expected to announce a new pay package for military personnel in the coming weeks.
According to an official statement signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, General Musa made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja during a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop organised for widows and wives of service personnel.
The Minister described the planned salary review as part of the Federal Government’s broader commitment to enhancing troop welfare and recognising the sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces in safeguarding the nation’s security.
Reflecting on previous welfare interventions, General Musa recalled that soldiers’ salaries were increased from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000 during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff, noting that the Ministry of Defence is working to secure another upward review.
“I want to state here that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving ₦100,000. When I was Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers were receiving ₦49,000. About two years ago, I pushed for an increase to ₦100,000, and that was achieved. We are, however, making further efforts to increase it again,” he said.
Expressing optimism over the ongoing discussions, the Minister added, “I am confident that very soon, Mr. President will announce another salary increase for our men.”
General Musa made the remarks while addressing participants at the workshop themed, “Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development.” He stressed that the strength of the military depends not only on operational capabilities and equipment but also on the economic stability and well-being of the families supporting service personnel.
He commended military spouses for their resilience and steadfast support, saying their sacrifices help sustain the morale of troops deployed across various operational theatres. He also paid tribute to widows of fallen service personnel, describing their courage and perseverance as an enduring source of inspiration.
The capacity-building programme was organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to promote entrepreneurship and improve the livelihoods of military families.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii, announced the disbursement of ₦25 million to 500 widows and wives of soldiers serving on the frontlines to support their businesses and entrepreneurial ventures.
He explained that the initiative forms part of a nationwide programme aimed at equipping beneficiaries with financial literacy and enterprise development skills, while promoting financial inclusion and strengthening their economic resilience.
The event was attended by the wife of the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, senior officials of the Ministry, representatives of SMEDAN, development partners, and other stakeholders.
