The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has revealed that he initiated the increase of Nigerian soldiers’ monthly salaries from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000 during his time as Chief of Defence Staff, adding that discussions are ongoing to secure another pay rise for military personnel.
Musa made the disclosure on Monday while addressing participants at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of service members at Lungi Barracks in Abuja.
According to him, the salary adjustment was introduced to improve the welfare of troops in recognition of the risks and sacrifices they make in protecting the country.
“When I was Chief of Defence, the soldiers were collecting ₦49,000. I made an effort two years ago for it to be increased to ₦100,000, and that was achieved,” Musa said.
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government was still working on another upward review and expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would support the initiative.
“We are, however, still making more efforts for it to be increased further. And we know our President is a father, a listening father, who will make sure that our troops are collecting good money because they are sacrificing so much.
“So, for all of us here, I’m sure very soon, Mr. President is going to announce an increase in salaries for our men,” he said.
Musa also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of military families, describing the empowerment programme as part of efforts to strengthen their financial stability.
He noted that providing spouses and widows of service personnel with business and entrepreneurial skills would help them build sustainable livelihoods while allowing serving officers to focus on their duties without worrying about the welfare of their families.
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The minister added that the initiative was designed to equip participants with practical knowledge to establish businesses, earn steady incomes and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
His comments come amid growing demands for better remuneration for members of the armed forces. Military veterans and several retired senior officers have continued to urge the Federal Government to implement a proposed minimum monthly salary of ₦250,000 for the lowest-ranked soldier.
Earlier this month, more than 70 military veterans called for the immediate implementation of what they described as an already approved salary structure, while former Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. John Enenche (retd.), also recently advocated a minimum monthly salary of ₦250,000 for rank-and-file soldiers to reflect current economic conditions.