Senate Pushes for Higher Pay for Nigerian Soldiers

Nigeria’s Senate has called on the Federal Government to urgently review and increase the minimum wage and salary structure for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, highlighting the severe impact of inflation and economic hardship on soldiers’ welfare. The motion, spearheaded by former Senate Chief Whip Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), titled “Urgent Need to Increase the Minimum Wage and Improve Conditions of Service for Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Other Security Agencies,” was adopted on Tuesday .

Senator Ndume emphasized that the current wages for junior military personnel range from ₦50,000 to ₦60,000 per month—a figure he described as “grossly inadequate” amidst soaring living costs and inflation. He compared this unfavorably with salaries of soldiers in other African countries: about ₦180,000 in Ghana, ₦250,000 in South Africa, ₦230,000 to ₦280,000 in Egypt, and ₦200,000 in Kenya excluding allowances. The disparity, according to Ndume, dampens morale, hinders recruitment and retention, and undermines operational effectiveness .

Highlighting Nigeria’s constitutional mandate for the Armed Forces to safeguard the country against external and internal threats under challenging conditions, the senator called for a remuneration structure that appropriately reflects the risks and sacrifices of military personnel. He urged relevant government bodies—Ministries of Defence, Finance, Budget and National Planning, as well as the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission—to carry out a comprehensive salary review aligned with both national economic realities and international benchmarks .

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Ndume further raised concerns about insufficient manpower in security agencies and pressing needs for more recruitment and adequate military equipment by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to bolster national security and boost troop morale. He criticized the last salary increment for military personnel dating back to 2008, making a case for urgent action to address the growing financial struggles faced by soldiers on and off duty .

Current Nigerian Army salaries reveal a range with junior ranks earning around ₦50,000 to ₦60,000 during training, while higher ranks earn progressively more, with officers drawing from ₦120,000 up to several million naira monthly based on rank. Despite this scale, frontline troops’ minimum pay remains insufficient compared to peers on the continent and given the security challenges Nigeria faces .

The Senate’s directive includes empowering its Defence-related committees to liaise with government agencies to establish realistic remuneration benchmarks and ensure improved welfare for military personnel. This move is framed as both a moral obligation and a strategic necessity to sustain Nigeria’s national defense capability amid growing threats .

This development marks a significant parliamentary step toward improving the socio-economic conditions of Nigerian soldiers, responding to widespread calls for better pay, welfare benefits, and operational support for the country’s security forces.