Nigeria raises military pay by up to 80% amid security challenges

Nigerian soldiers prepare to patrol during the visit of Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede at the Headquarters Theatre Command Joint Task Force in Maiduguri, March 18, 2026. /CFP Nigerian soldiers prepare to patrol during the visit of Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede at the Headquarters Theatre Command Joint Task Force in Maiduguri, March 18, 2026. /CFP Nigeria will increase military salaries by up to 80% from September, the presidency announced on Tuesday, in a move aimed at improving troop welfare and morale amid persistent security challenges.Under the new structure, generals and other officers above the rank of colonel will receive a 30% increase, personnel from colonel to warrant officer will get 50%, while soldiers from private to staff sergeant will receive an 80% raise, according to presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga.The revised structure will raise the armed forces' annual wage bill from 660 billion naira to 924 billion naira, or about $679 million.Nigeria continues to face Islamist insurgencies in the northeast, banditry and kidnappings in the north and separatist-linked violence in the southeast.President Bola Tinubu said the government would continue to prioritise troop welfare and modernise the armed forces with the equipment and technology needed to tackle the country's security threats.(With input from wires)