Ndume Urges Tinubu to Boost Armed Forces’ Salaries Urgently

Senator Ali Ndume has implored President Bola Tinubu to urgently prioritize a significant wage and salary increase for Nigeria’s armed forces and other security agencies. The senator recalled that before President Tinubu assumed office, the basic monthly salary for a private soldier stood at 50,000 naira but has since risen to approximately 104,000 naira following presidential intervention. Ndume insists that this increase, while a step forward, remains far below what is required to properly reward those who risk their lives to protect the nation.

Ndume highlighted a stark contrast with salaries abroad, pointing out that soldiers in certain other countries earn no less than 3 million naira monthly when converted, which encourages greater commitment and willingness to serve under hazardous conditions. He voiced deep concern over the disheartening pay disparity between lawmakers and frontline security personnel, emphasizing that senators earn more than the military troops who face daily dangers in safeguarding national security.

The senator further urged that the government immediately take decisive action to improve the pay structure and welfare of all security personnel. He stressed that enhanced remuneration coupled with proper equipment and operational support is vital in raising troop morale and effectively combating insecurity challenges such as insurgency and banditry. Ndume advocated for the armed forces’ budget to be designated as a first-line charge in the national appropriation to guarantee predictable funding beyond discretionary approval.

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This call aligns with recent initiatives by President Tinubu, who approved a salary increment for the armed forces along with the payment of three months’ salary arrears and pension releases for retired military personnel—a move welcomed by the Ministry of Defence as a morale booster. Yet, voices like Ndume’s insist that more comprehensive and sustained salary reforms are critical for ensuring that Nigeria’s security agencies are adequately compensated and motivated to fulfill their duty to the nation effectively.

This appeal underscores the urgent need for Nigeria’s leadership to close the yawning wage gap within its security forces and provide a framework that rewards risk fairly and sustains operational readiness in the face of growing security threats​.