President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a new salary structure for Nigerian military personnel, with junior-ranking personnel expected to receive up to an 80 per cent increase in pay from September 1, 2026.
The approval covers personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, in what is being described as a major intervention aimed at improving the welfare and morale of members of the Armed Forces.
Under the approved salary adjustment, personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant are expected to receive an 80 per cent increase, while those in higher ranks will receive varying levels of adjustment.
Personnel between the Warrant Officer and Colonel ranks are expected to receive about a 50 per cent increase, while senior officers, including Generals, are expected to receive approximately 30 per cent.
The new salary structure is scheduled to take effect from September 1, 2026.
Military Wage Bill Set to Rise
The implementation of the new salary structure is expected to increase the Federal Government’s annual wage bill for military personnel from approximately ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.
The salary review comes as Nigerian troops continue to participate in counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and other security operations across several parts of the country.
The Federal Government has maintained that improving the welfare of security personnel is essential to boosting their morale and effectiveness, particularly for troops deployed in high-risk areas.
The latest approval is therefore expected to provide additional financial relief for serving personnel and their families while strengthening motivation within the Armed Forces.
New Military Salary Increase at a Glance
- Effective date: September 1, 2026
- Private–Staff Sergeant: 80% increase
- Warrant Officer–Colonel: 50% increase
- Generals and senior officers: About 30% increase
- Services affected: Army, Navy and Air Force
- Projected military personnel wage bill: ₦660bn → ₦924bn
The development marks a significant move by the Tinubu administration to address military welfare as Nigeria continues its fight against terrorism, banditry and other security threats.
