President Tinubu approves 80% salary increase for junior military officers

Nigerian soldiers are to get a pay increase of up to 80%, their second salary increase in a month, for what President Bola Tinubu says is the government’s “deep appreciation” of those battling the nation’s enormous security threats.

In July, the Defence Minister raised the monthly wages for privates, the lowest-ranking soldiers but with the president’s intervention they will now receive more from September.

It is part of Tinubu’s efforts to curb violence from various armed groups, including Islamist militants and criminal kidnap gangs, known locally as “bandits”.

Last month, he ordered the recruitment of 28,000 extra soldiers and the creation of four new army divisions.

Announcing the salary increase, the president praised the courage and sacrifices of members of the armed forces confronting “the scourge of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism”.

“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,” he said in a statement.

“I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland. Together we shall prevail over the enemies intent on destroying the fabric of our nation.”

The President has said his administration will continue to prioritise troop welfare and to modernise the armed forces with the weapons and technology needed to tackle security threats.

Under his recent reforms, the army will have now 12 divisions spread over the whole country to ensure better co-ordination, intelligence sharing and faster response times.