Senate Considers New Salary Package for Armed Forces

The Senate is set to debate a motion on Wednesday seeking a comprehensive review and significant upward adjustment of the minimum wage and salary structure for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, in line with prevailing economic conditions.

The motion, titled “Urgent Need to Increase the Minimum Wage and Improve Conditions of Service for Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Other Security Agencies,” will be sponsored by former Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ali Ndume.

Ndume, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Army, lamented that the existing pay scale does not reflect the level of sacrifice made by military personnel who risk their lives daily in internal and external operations—often under intense combat stress and limited welfare support.

If adopted, the Senate will direct the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly Appropriations Committee to make provisions for improved Defence Personnel Costs in the 2026 Appropriation Bill. It will also urge the Federal Government to review military wages every three years to keep pace with inflation and global standards.

According to Ndume, the current remuneration—₦50,000 to ₦60,000 monthly for junior personnel, depending on rank—is grossly inadequate given Nigeria’s soaring inflation and rising cost of living. He warned that poor pay undermines morale, recruitment, and retention, exposing personnel to economic hardship and indirectly weakening national security.

While acknowledging ongoing discussions on a general national minimum wage review, Ndume argued that a distinct salary structure for the Armed Forces is both constitutionally valid and morally justified due to the military’s unique role in defending the nation.

“In many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and India, armed forces’ pay is set above the national minimum wage to reflect the high risks, discipline, and demands of military service,” he stated. “Aligning Nigeria’s military pay with regional and international standards would enhance morale, strengthen professionalism, and demonstrate the nation’s gratitude for their sacrifices.”