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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to announce a new salary increase for personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria as part of the Federal Government\'s ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has revealed.
General Musa disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop organised for widows and wives of service personnel. He said the planned pay review reflects the administration\'s commitment to rewarding the sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces and strengthening their morale.
The minister recalled that during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff, military personnel\'s salaries were increased from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000. He noted that the government is now working on another upward review, expressing confidence that President Tinubu would make the official announcement soon.
\"I am confident that very soon, Mr. President will announce another salary increase for our men,\" General Musa said, adding that improved welfare remains a priority for the Ministry of Defence.
Speaking on the theme, \"Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,\" the minister stressed that a strong military depends not only on capable personnel and modern equipment but also on financially secure families.
He praised military spouses for their unwavering support, saying their resilience enables service personnel to remain focused on defending the nation. He also paid tribute to widows of fallen soldiers, describing their courage and perseverance as an inspiration.
The workshop, organised by the Ministry of Defence in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), also featured financial empowerment for military families.
Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, announced that ₦25 million was distributed to 500 widows and wives of soldiers serving on the frontlines to support their businesses and entrepreneurial activities.
According to him, the initiative is part of a nationwide programme aimed at promoting financial inclusion, equipping beneficiaries with business skills, and helping them cope with current economic challenges.
The event was attended by the wife of the Minister of Defence, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Richard Pheelangwa, senior ministry officials, SMEDAN representatives, development partners, and other stakeholders.
