Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle has commended President BolaTinubu for approving a 30 to 80 per cent salary increase for personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Queeneth Iheoma-Hart on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations on Tuesday, Matawalle described the pay rise as a landmark decision that reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare, morale, and operational effectiveness of military personnel.
The minister noted that he had personally championed the salary review within government circles since the current administration’s inception.
Implementation and breakdown
The upgraded pay structure, which takes effect on September 1, 2026, will benefit approximately 250,000 military personnel across various ranks:
- Private to Staff Sergeant: 80 per cent salary increase.
- Warrant Officer to Colonel: 50 per cent salary increase.
- Brigadier-General to General: 30 per cent salary increase.
Matawalle emphasized that the wage enhancement aims to motivate troops currently engaged in counter-insurgency, anti-banditry, and anti-kidnapping operations nationwide.
He urged members of the armed forces to view the gesture as a reflection of the nation’s appreciation for their service, reaffirming the government’s commitment to modernizing military hardware and enhancing operational capacity.
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