Tinubu to Announce New Salary Increase for Military Personnel, Says Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd.), has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon announce another salary increase for personnel of the Armed Forces.

Musa made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja during a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of military personnel.

He said the Federal Government remains committed to improving the welfare of military officers and soldiers in recognition of their sacrifices to the nation.

According to the minister, the government had increased soldiers’ monthly pay from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000 about two years ago and is now working towards another upward review.

“I want to state here that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving ₦100,000, and I know that generated both positive and negative reactions,” Musa said.

“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. We know our President is a listening father who understands the sacrifices our troops are making and is committed to ensuring they are well remunerated. 

“So, I am confident that very soon Mr. President will announce another salary increase for our men,” he added.

The workshop, themed _“Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,”_ was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN.

Musa said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s determination to improve the economic well-being of military families, particularly widows and spouses of personnel serving in operational theatres across the country.

“Every day, our personnel confront complex security challenges in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty. Many serve in difficult environments, separated from their families for extended periods and exposed to considerable risks,” he said.

“While their courage and sacrifice are rightly celebrated, we must equally recognise the invaluable role played by the families who stand firmly behind them. 

“To the spouses gathered here today, your resilience and steadfast support give your loved ones the confidence to remain focused on their responsibilities. 

“To our widows whose husbands served Nigeria with honour, your strength and perseverance in the face of loss remain an enduring source of inspiration.”

The minister stressed that economically secure families allow service personnel to concentrate fully on their duties.

“When military families are economically secure, they are better positioned to withstand the unique demands of military life. Strengthening the economic resilience of military families is therefore an important investment in the effectiveness of our Armed Forces and the security of our nation,” he said.

Musa noted that the entrepreneurship programme was designed to equip participants with practical business and enterprise management skills to establish sustainable businesses and generate income.

Also speaking, the Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, disclosed that the agency had disbursed ₦25 million to 500 widows and wives of soldiers serving on the frontlines under the empowerment programme.

Odii said the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to supporting small businesses through enterprise development.

He revealed that the President had approved a ₦200 billion intervention fund for businesses nationwide, comprising ₦75 billion single-digit interest loans for manufacturers, ₦75 billion for small businesses, and ₦50 billion in grants for nano-businesses.

According to him, beneficiaries of the military families’ programme are covered under the grant component.

Odii assured that the grant would not be a one-off intervention. 

“If you take the seed money we are giving you, invest it in your business, and the business grows, we will come back here in another year and double the amount we have given you,” he said.

He added that SMEDAN would monitor beneficiaries’ businesses to ensure proper utilisation of funds and identify entrepreneurs eligible for additional support.