\n<\/p>\n
Announcing the salary hikes, the president praised the courage and sacrifices of members of the armed forces confronting “the scourge of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism”.<\/p>\n
“The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation,” he said in a statement.<\/p>\n
“I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland. Together we shall prevail over the enemies intent on destroying the fabric of our nation.”<\/p>\n
Successive Nigerian governments have struggled to contain insecurity despite increased military deployments and spending.<\/p>\n
Islamist insurgents, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap), continue to stage attacks in the north-east, while heavily armed criminal gangs – which loot and kidnap for ransom – operate across parts of north-west and north-central areas.<\/p>\n
Other security challenges include separatist unrest in the south-east and deadly clashes over land between farmers and herders.<\/p>\n
The most junior personnel are to receive the biggest salary hike:<\/p>\n
Privates up to staff sergeants: 80%<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Warrant officers up to colonels: 50%<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Brigadier generals up to generals: 30%.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
This will see the military’s annual wage bill jump from $484m to $678m.<\/p>\n
“This is what we have been calling for a long time,” military expert Bashir Galma, a retired major general, told the BBC.<\/p>\n
Though he expressed concern that future administrations might struggle to sustain such funding, given the significant jump in the military’s annual salary bill.<\/p>\n
Serving personnel approached for comment have said they will reserve judgment until the new salaries are reflected in their bank accounts.<\/p>\n
Galma also argued that other security agencies should receive similar pay reviews, stressing that “keeping the country safe is a joint effort”.<\/p>\n
Beyond salaries, he said broader welfare issues also required attention including uniforms, boots and, most critically, new rifles to tackle the ongoing crises.<\/p>\n
“All these are also important areas,” he said.<\/p>\n
Tinubu has said his administration will continue to prioritise troop welfare and to modernise the armed forces with the weapons and technology needed to tackle security threats.<\/p>\n
Under his recent reforms, the army will have now 12 divisions spread over the whole country to ensure better co-ordination, intelligence sharing and faster response times.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n