Soldiers Reject N100,000 Salary as Tinubu Holds Emergency Security Meeting

Nigerian military troop

Soldiers Reject N100,000 Salary as Tinubu Holds Emergency Security Meeting

The Federal Government’s disclosure that the lowest-paid Nigerian soldier now earns N100,000 monthly has sparked criticism from serving and retired military personnel, who say the amount falls far short of addressing the country’s economic realities .

The backlash followed comments by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, who said the government had doubled soldiers’ minimum salary from N49,000 to N100,000 as part of efforts to improve their welfare . The minister made the disclosure during an interview on News Central on Wednesday, ahead of its broadcast on the NC Exclusive programme on Friday . He also admitted, however, that defence funding remains inadequate, stating: “It’s not enough” .

Many personnel argued that the increase remains inadequate and urged President Bola Tinubu to fulfil his promise of a broader salary review announced earlier this year . On March 7, 2026, during an interfaith breaking of fast with Service Chiefs, the President had assured members of the Armed Forces that his administration would prioritise their welfare, accommodation and other benefits . Serving personnel who spoke on condition of anonymity pressed the government to implement the promised salary increase, warning that poor remuneration was contributing to declining morale and increasing cases of personnel going AWOL .

A retired soldier, Abdul Isiak, said the current salary could not sustain military personnel in the face of rising living costs. “It is not enough at all. What is N100,000 with the current situation of the country? It can’t get to anywhere. They should do better. If they pay more, they would put more effort into what they are doing” .

Another retired serviceman, Sergeant Zaki Williams, questioned whether the amount announced by the minister was actually being paid. “I doubt if they are paying up to that amount now. It is a lie,” he said . He also criticised the remuneration offered to soldiers: “Even at that, that money is too ridiculous. Any government paying a soldier N100,000 is not a serious one. If you know what they are passing through, you would not offer them such money. We have been crying but no help. The government has tried, but they can do better” .

The Coordinator of the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, Abiodun Herbert-Durowaye, described the salary as insufficient for personnel risking their lives to defend the country . “How can that be sufficient for someone who’s putting his life on the line for the country? We know the cost of living in this country today. That’s not sufficient for any man who is ensuring the peaceful coexistence of the country. It is far from it. My brother, how much is a bag of rice today? We are not talking about children’s school fees, shelter and what have you” .

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Serving personnel who spoke anonymously urged the Federal Government to implement the salary increase President Tinubu announced in March, saying the promised review had yet to take effect . One officer said: “The Federal Government should immediately implement the new salary structure it promised members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria if it is serious about restoring morale and strengthening the nation’s military. Today, many personnel are living in conditions that do not reflect the enormous sacrifices they make in defence of the country” . Another personnel appealed directly to the President: “During Iftar, the President raised our hopes and we were very happy. He should please make it a reality so that everybody will be happy. Things are quite expensive, which has made our current salaries not enough. I personally need the increment as I speak. I have children and dependents to cater for” .

The controversy unfolded as President Tinubu on Thursday convened a high-level security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with service chiefs, intelligence heads and senior security advisers to review the nation’s security situation . The closed-door meeting, which lasted more than two hours, brought together the nation’s top military commanders and security leadership .

Those present at the meeting included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.); Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Isa; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.); and Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu .

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The meeting focused on a comprehensive review of security challenges and developments across various theatres of operation . It came two days after troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, supported by the Air Component of the Joint Task Force, disrupted what the military described as a major planned terrorist offensive in Zamfara and Katsina States . During the July 7 operation, three Nigerian Air Force aircraft reportedly tracked a convoy of approximately 300 heavily armed terrorists on motorcycles and conducted precision airstrikes on the formation .

In a separate engagement, troops neutralised Alhaji Tukur, identified by military authorities as a notorious bandit commander and younger brother of wanted kingpin Alhaji Shehu Bagiwaye, in Dogon Kade . In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have continued operations against ISWAP and other terrorist groups . Although details of the deliberations were not made public, officials familiar with the meeting said it focused on reviewing ongoing military operations against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements .

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, the Defence Minister addressed the recent abduction of pupils in Oyo State, alleging that the kidnappers were seeking the release of detained commanders . “You know, it’s a very sad event. Unfortunately, bad things do happen. For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us, and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander” . He added: “They are now threatening that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids” .

The minister also called for stiffer penalties against kidnappers, including capital punishment. “I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment” .

Badaru also rejected claims circulating on social media that soldiers were poorly fed, insisting that a viral video had been manipulated . “The soldier’s food was okay. There was meat; there was all this. But he told them to pull out those things and make it look as if those things were not there” .

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the Defence Headquarters had issued an official statement on the outcome of Thursday’s security meeting . The State House announced the meeting through a photograph released on Thursday evening but did not immediately disclose the resolutions reached during the engagement .