Former Senate Leader and former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a salary increase of 30 to 80 percent for approximately 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, describing the policy as a critical step toward boosting troop morale in the fight against insecurity.
​Speaking via an official statement released on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Abuja, Senator Ndume noted that the salary review reflects a strategic commitment by the administration to improve security personnel welfare and tackle terrorism and banditry across the country.
​The salary increase, which was officially announced on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a State House release, takes effect on September 1, 2026.
​The upward adjustment will see the Federal Government’s annual wage bill for the Armed Forces rise from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.
​Reacting to the development, Senator Ndume highlighted that the pay raise, following President Tinubu’s recent approval to expand the Nigerian Army divisions from eight to 12, demonstrates a structured blueprint to eliminate security threats.
​”The review of salary will go a long way in motivating our military personnel,” Ndume stated. “This coming after his recent expansion of military divisions from eight to 12 shows that Mr. President has his own blueprint aimed at dealing with the scourge of terrorism and banditry.”
​Senator Ndume also renewed his advocacy for the Armed Forces to be placed on a First-line Charge status to guarantee direct, timely access to operational funding and avoid administrative delays in paying military personnel.
​In the initial State House announcement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized that the administration would continue prioritizing troop welfare alongside modernizing military hardware and technological tools.
​”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,” President Tinubu stated. “I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland.”
​The new salary policy comes as part of broader defense reforms aimed at enhancing operational readiness, retaining experienced personnel, and securing the nation on multiple fronts.
