Nigeria: Military Minimum Wage Hits N187,000 As Tinubu Approves 30-80% Pay Rise

What the report says

President Bola Tinubu has approved a broad salary review for Nigeria’s armed forces, with increases of 30% to 80% for different ranks, according to a Leadership report distributed by AllAfrica. The new pay structure is set to take effect on September 1 and is expected to cover about 250,000 personnel. Under the revised scale, the lowest-paid private would earn about N187,000 a month, up from roughly N104,000 under the previous structure cited in the report.

The article says the increases vary by rank: officers above colonel are to get a 30% rise, colonel through warrant officer a 50% rise, and private through staff sergeant an 80% rise. It also says the annual military wage bill is projected to rise from N660 billion to N924 billion. Leadership reported that exact implementation details were still being awaited, and that some figures may vary depending on rank, corps and service conditions.

The move comes amid continuing debate over troop welfare in Nigeria, where security forces are confronting banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and other threats. The report notes that Defence Minister Christopher Musa had recently stirred discussion by saying junior military pay had already been raised, prompting calls for a further review. The Nigeria Labour Congress welcomed the increase but urged fairness across the public service, while Senate defence and army committee chairmen also praised the decision as a boost to morale and national security. Broader background: Nigeria has faced persistent pressure to improve compensation and welfare across multiple security agencies.