Personnel of the Nigerian military have started receiving the increased salaries recently approved by President Bola Tinubu, according to Dada Olusegun, the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media.
The development was confirmed to Very Nigerian on Thursday by Onyechi Anele, spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, as well as a source at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
Olusegun, in a statement posted on X, said the salary increase was designed to improve the welfare and boost the morale of military personnel.
He added that the implementation of the new salary structure has commenced, with military personnel beginning to receive the approved increase.
“I can categorically confirm that personnels of the Nigerian Military have now started receiving their newly increased salaries as approved by President @officialABAT in August,” the presidential aide wrote.
“Another critical factor that is expected to boost the morale of our frontline forces as we continue to win the war against insecurity.”
In August, Tinubu approved a new salary package for armed forces personnel.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the salary increase ranges from 30 to 80 percent, depending on rank.
Onanuga said about 250,000 personnel would benefit from the package, which took effect on September 1.
He said officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier generals, major generals, lieutenant generals and generals, would receive a 30 percent salary increase.
He added that personnel from colonel down to warrant officer would get a 50 percent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant would receive an 80 percent increase.
The presidential aide said the new package would raise the annual salary bill for armed forces personnel from N660 billion to N924 billion.
