Tinubu Approves Historic 30–80% Military Pay Rise, N924bn Annual Wage Bill

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a salary increase for personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, describing the decision as “a landmark demonstration of the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare, morale and operational effectiveness of the gallant officers and men who continue to make immense sacrifices in defence of the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” In a statement issued on Tuesday, Matawalle said the review of military salaries had remained a priority since the inception of the current administration, adding that he personally championed the initiative within government. He thanked President Tinubu for what he described as his visionary leadership and commitment to the welfare of military personnel. “It is a clear reflection of your passion for building a motivated, resilient and highly professional Armed Forces capable of effectively addressing Nigeria’s security challenges,” he said. The new salary structure, which takes effect from September 1, 2026, will benefit approximately 250,000 military personnel across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Under the tiered arrangement, the lowest-paid private is expected to earn about N187,000 monthly, a significant increase from the previous N104,000. The annual wage bill for the armed forces will rise from N660 billion to N924 billion, reflecting an additional N264 billion in personnel costs.

Matawalle provided the following breakdown of the salary increases: personnel from Private to Staff Sergeant will receive an 80% increase; personnel from Warrant Officer to Colonel will receive a 50% increase; and senior officers above the rank of Colonel, including Brigadier-General, Major-General, Lieutenant-General and General, will receive a 30% increase. The tiered approach reflects the administration’s recognition that lower-ranking personnel, who bear the brunt of frontline combat operations, require the most substantial uplift in remuneration. This differentiated structure ensures that those at the base of the military pyramid receive the largest proportional increase.

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Quoting President Tinubu, the minister said: “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.” The president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising troop welfare while accelerating the modernisation of the Armed Forces through improved weapons systems and technological capabilities. The salary review forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to improve the welfare of troops engaged in counter-terrorism, anti-banditry, anti-kidnapping, and other internal security operations nationwide. Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security challenges across different regions, including Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and kidnapping-for-ransom in parts of the north-central, as well as separatist-linked violence in the southeast.

The salary increment follows recent efforts by the Tinubu administration to address long-standing welfare concerns within the armed forces. In December 2024, following protests by military retirees at the Federal Ministry of Finance, President Tinubu directed the release of funds for the payment of pension arrears and other entitlements owed to retired military personnel. Matawalle had praised the president at the time for facilitating the immediate payment of the three-month salary increase and the release of funds to settle pension arrears and other entitlements. The minister acknowledged the efforts and support of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who was committed to actualising the payments. The previous salary increment for military personnel ranged between 20 and 28 per cent, covering January to November 2024. Retirees had also demanded overdue payments for palliatives from October 2023 to November 2024, an additional N32,000 added to their pensions, bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance, and the refund of pension deductions made from the salaries of medically boarded soldiers.

The minister also assured that the government would continue to prioritise the welfare of military personnel while strengthening the Armed Forces through the acquisition of modern weapons, equipment and advanced technological capabilities. In line with this commitment, the Ministry has pursued strategic initiatives including a Memorandum of Understanding and joint venture agreement for the establishment of an ammunition production factory in Nigeria. Matawalle has promised that before the expiration of the president’s four-year term, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) will begin exporting its military capabilities. This initiative is expected to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign arms imports, save foreign exchange, and position the country as a regional defence manufacturing hub.

Matawalle urged members of the Armed Forces to see the salary increase as recognition of their sacrifices and a renewed call to service. “I urge our servicemen to take this 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,” he said. The minister’s call for renewed commitment comes at a time when the military faces multiple fronts in the fight against insecurity. The salary increase is expected to significantly boost troop morale, improve retention rates, and enhance the overall operational effectiveness of the armed forces in confronting Nigeria’s security challenges.

The latest salary hike is expected to significantly boost troop morale and improve retention rates within the armed forces. Matawalle has consistently emphasised that the Tinubu administration is committed to enhancing the capabilities of the Nigerian military through the provision of modern hardware and equipment, timely payment of allowances, and salary increases. With the new salary structure taking effect from September 2026, military personnel across all ranks stand to benefit significantly from the administration’s renewed focus on welfare and operational effectiveness. The federal government has urged the Nigerian military to remain steadfast in their duties while assuring them of continued support in combating insecurity across the nation.

Tinubu Approves Historic 30–80% Military Pay Rise, N924bn Annual Wage Bill

Primate Ayodele Predicts Obi, Kwankwaso Will ‘Go Nowhere’ in 2027

The founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has predicted that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential ticket of Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will not gain traction in the 2027 general election, describing their decision to contest independently as a strategic error that has effectively removed the party from serious electoral calculations. The cleric made the remarks while addressing members of his congregation in a video shared on X, where he criticised the party’s decision to run as a standalone platform despite growing calls for opposition unity ahead of the next presidential poll. According to Ayodele, the NDC would have stood a stronger chance if it had joined forces with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) rather than pursuing what he described as a solo political journey. “You see the NDC party in Nigeria, assuming you can listen. Instead of you going as a solo party, you would have merged with the ADC and formed a coalition,” Ayodele said. He argued that the party’s independent bid had weakened its electoral prospects, insisting that the strategy would not deliver victory in 2027. “But you alone going solo, NDC is not in the calculation. They call it OK but I’m not seeing anything okay. I do not see ‘OK’ (Obi and Kwankwaso) going anywhere in the 2027 Presidential election,” he added.

Obi and Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC in May 2026, citing persistent internal divisions and ongoing legal disputes within the party as reasons for their decision to seek a new political platform. Their move altered the opposition landscape, with the NDC subsequently adopting the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket for the 2027 presidential election, while the ADC picked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate. Obi previously served as Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The election was won by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The two politicians later parted ways after Obi left the PDP for the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 presidential election, where he emerged as the party’s candidate. In the 2023 poll, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC was declared winner, defeating Atiku, who contested on the PDP platform, while Obi finished third. In the build-up to the 2027 election, Obi, Atiku, and other opposition leaders initially rallied around the ADC in an attempt to forge a broad coalition aimed at unseating President Tinubu. However, the alliance later collapsed following irreconcilable differences among key stakeholders, prompting Obi and Kwankwaso to leave the party with their supporters for the NDC. Ayodele maintained that the decision to leave the coalition arrangement had significantly weakened the NDC’s electoral prospects, as opposition parties seeking to challenge the ruling establishment require a united front rather than fragmented political structures capable of splitting votes.

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Despite Ayodele’s prediction, the NDC’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, has expressed openness to coalition discussions with other opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Dickson said the party would be open to conversations within the opposition space, though he insisted that any eventual coalition should back the NDC’s already-nominated candidates. “As an opposition leader, we will be open to coalition discussions. Our party, the NDC, will be open to conversations within that space. We hope that whatever discussions take place will lead to the NDC candidates being backed because we know the value of the candidates we are putting forward,” Dickson said. He also dismissed insinuations that the NDC would be unable to challenge President Tinubu and the APC in 2027, arguing that the ruling party would be “defeated massively” in a free and fair electoral contest.

Ayodele’s prediction is not an isolated voice of doubt. Senator Rufa’i Hanga, who represents Kano Central Senatorial District, has also declared that the NDC presidential ticket of Obi and Kwankwaso stands little chance of winning the 2027 election. Speaking during an interview with Freedom Radio, Hanga argued that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso commands the nationwide support required to secure victory. “In the North, Obi has Kwankwaso as running mate, and Kwankwaso is only popular in Kano. Even now, his popularity is 50/50 because previously, while we were in the ADC, we had people in Katsina, Jigawa and Kaduna, but those people refused to join us in the NDC and remained in the ADC,” Hanga said. He further claimed that Obi’s political strength is largely concentrated in Anambra State and parts of southern Nigeria, while arguing that the ADC candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would have a better chance of defeating President Tinubu in the North-West and North-East due to growing public dissatisfaction over insecurity and economic hardship.

This is not the first time Primate Ayodele has voiced concerns about the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance. In June 2026, he warned that Kwankwaso would “destroy” Obi’s presidential ambition, alleging that the former Kano governor was pursuing personal interests rather than a genuine commitment to Obi’s success. “Peter Obi doesn’t listen to divine instructions, and because of this, he has fallen into the wrong hands for his ambition. Kwankwaso isn’t ready to fight for him; he will eventually sell him out, but he doesn’t know it yet,” Ayodele said at the time. The remarks sparked a legal backlash, with Kwankwaso issuing a 24-hour ultimatum to Ayodele, demanding an immediate retraction and public apology, and threatening a N10 billion defamation lawsuit. However, Ayodele stood by his prophecy, clarifying that he was merely conveying a divine message and had no personal grievance against Kwankwaso. “I have never met Senator Kwankwaso, nor have I had any personal issues with him. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for me to deliberately target or attack him,” Ayodele said through his media aide. He maintained that his prophecies are based solely on divine revelations and not influenced by personal relationships or grievances. In his prophecy book, Warnings To The Nations 2026/2027 Edition, Ayodele further detailed the fate of the three leading candidates, predicting that the 2027 election would largely be contested between President Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, with Obi being “robbed” of votes in some parts of the country. He stated that Obi would struggle in the North and that Northern voters would ultimately determine the election’s outcome. The cleric also predicted that President Tinubu would be defeated in the 2027 election, claiming that “monetary inducements and food distribution will not secure victory” for him. He alleged that Tinubu had been “blindfolded spiritually” and was relying on people who would disappoint him, including some state governors.

As the 2027 election approaches, the opposition landscape remains fragmented. The NDC is now positioning itself as a major challenger, but the departure of key figures like Senator Hanga, who is reportedly considering defecting to the APC, has raised questions about the party’s stability and nationwide reach. Meanwhile, the NDC’s leadership insists that the party remains a formidable force and has not been deregistered despite a recent court ruling that some interpreted as a setback. Dickson has expressed confidence that all NDC candidates will appear on the ballot in 2027. Ayodele’s latest prediction, coming from a figure whose political prophecies have often stirred public debate, adds another layer of uncertainty to an already fluid political environment. Whether the NDC can overcome the challenges highlighted by the cleric and other critics, or whether it will eventually heed calls for a broader opposition coalition, remains to be seen as the countdown to the 2027 polls continues. Ayodele’s predictions have drawn mixed reactions from political observers and the public, with some dismissing them as speculative while others view them as significant commentary on the country’s political landscape. No official response has been issued by the NDC or the politicians mentioned at the time of filing this report.

Primate Ayodele Predicts Obi, Kwankwaso Will ‘Go Nowhere’ in 2027

Police Probe AIG Jimoh Over VeryDarkMan’s Corruption Allegations 

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that it has commenced an internal investigation into Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Moshood Jimoh, the head of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, following serious corruption allegations levelled against him by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) . The Force disclosed that the senior officer has been summoned for questioning by the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) as part of an internal administrative review, while the criminal case connected to the allegations is already before a competent court. The activist has also been formally invited to appear before investigators to provide evidence supporting his claims. The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu. The statement clarified that the criminal matter referenced in public commentary had already been investigated and filed before a court following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) . The controversy stems from a police investigation into two high-profile murder cases in Lagos State—the killing of youth leader Sheriff Ishola Salami in April 2023 and the killing of Ademola Akinloye, son of an Ajiran traditional ruler, in August 2024. At the time of the investigation, Jimoh served as Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

Through a series of social media videos circulated over recent weeks, VeryDarkMan has accused AIG Jimoh of corruption, abuse of office, and evidence manipulation in the murder investigation. The activist alleged that police officers under Jimoh’s command framed businessman Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi in connection with the killings. According to VDM, suspects arrested in January 2026 initially confessed to involvement in the Salami killing without implicating Akanbi, but later statements linking the businessman to the crime were allegedly obtained under pressure or torture. The activist has consistently challenged Jimoh to produce the original suspect statements and has called for an independent review of the evidence. In one of his videos, VDM accused the AIG of “using his position to force false confessions from innocent suspects” and called on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately suspend Jimoh pending investigation. The activist, who has over two million followers across social media platforms, has kept the issue in the public eye with daily updates and calls for justice.

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The Police Force clarified that the case is being handled through both judicial and administrative channels, ensuring that justice is served on all fronts. The murder investigation has already been concluded and is now before a court of competent jurisdiction, following legal advice from the DPP. The police stressed that because the matter is sub judice, it must be resolved by the judiciary, not through media campaigns or social commentary. “The Force will not try this case in the media, nor will it allow its outcome to be shaped by public campaigns or commentary seeking to prejudge the officers or parties involved,” the statement read in part. Separately, the FCID has summoned AIG Jimoh for questioning over the allegations. The Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, on July 30, 2026, formally issued a letter of invitation to VeryDarkMan, requesting his appearance at its Abuja office to substantiate the claims he has made publicly. The police noted that the administrative probe is part of the Force’s internal accountability mechanism and is designed to investigate allegations of misconduct against any officer, regardless of rank.

Akanbi was arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in Cotonou, Benin Republic, in April 2026, and transferred to Nigeria. He had been declared wanted by the police in February 2026 over allegations of involvement in violent crimes in the Ajiran community. However, documents reviewed by ThisDayLive suggest that Jimoh acted pursuant to lawful instructions from Police Headquarters rather than personal discretion, noting that the investigation followed a formal petition from the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family of Ajiran. The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) and the South West Youth Alliance have also dismissed the allegations against Jimoh, stating that official police documents show the investigation had a factual basis. According to the police, the murder investigation followed standard procedures, including the collection of evidence, witness statements, and forensic analysis. The DPP’s legal advice, which sanctioned the prosecution, further validates the integrity of the investigation, the Force stated.

The Police Force reaffirmed that disciplinary matters are governed by the Constitution, the Police Act 2020, Police Regulations, Force Orders, and other established administrative procedures applicable to all officers regardless of rank. While acknowledging Nigerians’ constitutional right to freedom of expression and to demand accountability from public institutions, the police cautioned against making unsubstantiated allegations capable of damaging reputations. “Freedom of expression does not extend to defamation or the amplification of unsubstantiated allegations as a means of compelling disciplinary outcomes outside due process,” the statement read. The Force assured that any officer found culpable after investigation would face sanctions, while individuals found to have made false and defamatory allegations could also face legal consequences.

The Police have urged VeryDarkMan to honour the invitation extended by the FCID and allow both the administrative review and the judicial proceedings to run their lawful course. “No officer is above the law, and no genuine complaint is ignored; nor will any officer be sanctioned outside the procedures the law prescribes,” the Force stated. The outcome of the administrative probe will determine whether AIG Jimoh faces disciplinary action, while the court will decide on the criminal case involving Akanbi and the alleged murder of Salami and Akinloye. All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Police Probe AIG Jimoh Over VeryDarkMan’s Corruption Allegations