ABUJA — A fierce debate has erupted over the Federal Government’s disclosure that Nigerian soldiers now earn a minimum monthly salary of N100,000, with veterans and serving personnel describing the amount as grossly inadequate amid rising living costs. Defence Minister Christopher Musa revealed during a News Central interview that soldiers’ salaries had been increased from N49,000 to N100,000 monthly. He described this as a significant improvement in personnel welfare. However, Musa admitted the defence budget remains insufficient: “It’s not enough.”
Retired soldier Abdul Isiak said: “It is not enough at all. What is N100,000 with the current situation of the country? It can’t get to anywhere. If they pay more, they would put more effort into what they are doing.” Retired Sergeant Zaki Williams questioned the accuracy: “I doubt if they are paying up to that amount now, it is a lie. Any government paying a soldier N100,000 is not a serious one.” Coordinator of the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, Abiodun Herbert-Durowaye, asked: “How can that be sufficient for someone who’s putting his life on the line for the country? How much is a bag of rice today?”
Serving personnel who spoke anonymously pressed the government to implement Tinubu’s March 2026 salary increase promise. “The Federal Government should immediately implement the new salary structure it promised members of the Armed Forces. Today, many personnel are living in conditions that do not reflect the enormous sacrifices they make,” one officer said. Another warned: “This disparity has contributed to declining morale and an increasing number of personnel going AWOL. Fewer Nigerians now consider military service attractive because it is no longer seen as financially rewarding.” One soldier appealed directly: “During Iftar, the President raised our hopes. He should please make it a reality. Things are quite expensive. I personally need the increment. I have children and dependents to cater for.”
President Tinubu had announced salary approval on March 7, 2026, during an interfaith breaking of fast, assuring: “Your welfare, accommodation and many other opportunities that should be extended to your families will take first priority in our decisions.” Meanwhile, President Tinubu convened a comprehensive security meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, comprising the entire military command, intelligence leadership and top security advisers. Present were National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Defence Minister Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff Waidi Isa, DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. The closed-door engagement lasted over two hours and focused on reviewing the security situation across theatres of operation. The meeting follows a July 7 operation where troops disrupted a major planned terrorist offensive in Zamfara and Katsina States, with airstrikes on approximately 300 heavily armed terrorists. The Defence Minister also called for the death penalty for kidnappers: “I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage.” On the recent abduction of pupils in Oyo State, Musa alleged: “They are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us. They are now threatening that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids.” Musa dismissed allegations of poor feeding in the military, claiming an officer identified as Justice Crack deliberately created a false impression: “The soldier’s food was okay. There was meat; there was all this. But he told them to pull out those things and make it look as if those things were not there.”