Nigeria's Tinubu approves military pay rise as security challenges persist
The pay raises of up to 80% for members of the Nigerian armed forces come as Islamist insurgents such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province continue their attacks in the country.
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has recently approved significant pay increases for military personnel, aiming to address the ongoing security challenges plaguing the nation. The presidential statement revealed that officers above the rank of colonel, including generals, will receive a 30% salary boost, personnel from colonel to warrant officer will get a 50% increase, while soldiers from private to staff sergeant will have their salaries rise by 80%, effective from September 1st.
Presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga revealed that the new pay structure will elevate the armed forces' annual wage bill from 660 billion naira to 924 billion naira.
Nigeria has been grappling with a multitude of security issues, such as Islamist insurgencies led by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), widespread banditry in the northwest, and a surge in kidnap-for-ransom incidents in the north-central region. Additionally, security forces have faced periodic separatist-linked violence in the southeast, despite increased military deployments and spending.
Tinubu's administration intends to continue prioritizing troop welfare and modernizing the armed forces with the necessary weapons and technology to combat these looming security threats.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
