The Federal Government has disclosed plans to further increase the salaries of military personnel, with President Bola Tinubu expected to announce a fresh pay rise as part of ongoing efforts to improve troop welfare, boost morale and strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), made the disclosure on Monday at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of service personnel held at Lungi Barracks, Abuja.
The workshop, themed “Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,” was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
Musa said the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces are adequately rewarded for the sacrifices they make in defending the country.
Referring to the recent increase in troops’ allowances, he said, “I want to state here that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving ₦100,000, and I know that generated both positive and negative reactions. When I was Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers were receiving ₦49,000.
About two years ago, I pushed for an increase to ₦100,000, and that was achieved. We are, however, making further efforts to increase it again.”
Expressing confidence that another salary review is imminent, the minister added, “We know our President is a listening father who understands the sacrifices our troops are making and is committed to ensuring they are well remunerated.
So, I am confident that very soon Mr. President will announce another salary increase for our men.”
The Defence Minister said the empowerment programme reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving the economic well-being of military families, particularly widows and spouses of non-commissioned officers serving in operational theatres across the country.
He noted that while service personnel continue to confront complex security challenges and spend long periods away from their families, the government also recognises the resilience and sacrifices of their spouses and dependants.
“Every day, our personnel confront complex security challenges in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the protection of the lives and property of our citizens.
Many serve in difficult operational environments, separated from their families for extended periods and exposed to considerable risks.
While their courage and sacrifice are rightly celebrated, we must equally recognise the invaluable role played by the families who stand firmly behind them,” Musa said.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the minister praised the dedication of military spouses and widows, describing them as critical partners in national security.
“To the spouses gathered here today, your resilience, patience and steadfast support give your loved ones the confidence to remain focused on their responsibilities.
To our widows whose husbands served Nigeria with honour and distinction, your strength and perseverance in the face of loss remain an enduring source of inspiration,” he said.
Musa stressed that a strong military depends not only on capable personnel and modern equipment but also on stable and economically secure families.
According to him, “When military families are economically secure, they are better positioned to withstand the unique demands of military life.
This gives service personnel the confidence that their loved ones are well supported, allowing them to concentrate fully on their operational responsibilities. Strengthening the economic resilience of military families is therefore an important investment in the effectiveness of our Armed Forces and the security of our nation.”
He explained that the entrepreneurship and enterprise development programme was designed to equip participants with practical business and management skills that would enable them to establish sustainable businesses, generate income and contribute to national economic development.
The minister also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for what he described as his unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and their families.
Also speaking, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, announced the disbursement of ₦25 million to 500 widows and wives of soldiers serving on the frontlines as part of the empowerment programme.
He said the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and improving the livelihoods of Nigerians through enterprise development.
Odii disclosed that one of the administration’s early interventions was the approval of a ₦200 billion fund to support enterprises nationwide, comprising ₦75 billion in single-digit interest loans for manufacturers, ₦75 billion for small businesses and ₦50 billion in grants for nano businesses.
He explained that the beneficiaries of the military families’ empowerment programme fall within the nano business category.
He assured participants that the grant was not a one-off intervention, saying beneficiaries who invest the funds productively would qualify for additional support.
“If you take the seed money we are giving you, invest it in your business, and the business grows, we will come back here in another year and double the amount we have given you,” Odii said, adding that SMEDAN would monitor the businesses to ensure the funds are properly utilised and to identify beneficiaries eligible for further financial support.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), made the disclosure on Monday while delivering the keynote address at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of personnel serving in theatres of operation.
The programme, held in Abuja, was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
Musa said the administration had already doubled the operational allowance of troops from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000 and was working towards another upward review.
“When I was Chief of the Defence Staff, our soldiers were receiving ₦49,000. Two years ago, I made efforts to have it increased to ₦100,000, and that was achieved. We are, however, still making efforts for it to be increased further,” he said.
Expressing optimism over the planned review, the minister added, “We know our President is a listening father who will ensure that our troops are well remunerated because they are sacrificing so much.
I am confident that Mr. President will soon announce another increase in the salaries of our personnel.”
The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting military families, saying President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda continues to promote enterprise development, skills acquisition and access to economic opportunities.
As part of the initiative, Musa presented a cheque of ₦250 million to beneficiaries of the capacity-building programme for widows and spouses of service personnel.
Also speaking, the Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, assured widows and spouses of frontline troops of sustained government support through entrepreneurship and business development programmes.
“To our men on the battlefield protecting Nigeria, we want you to know that we appreciate your sacrifice. We will continue to support your wives and spouses by empowering them to become entrepreneurs who can sustain their families while you defend the nation,” he said.
Odii further disclosed that one of President Tinubu’s early interventions was the approval of a ₦200 billion fund to support businesses across the country, comprising ₦75 billion in single-digit interest loans for manufacturers, ₦75 billion for small businesses and ₦50 billion in grants for nano businesses.
He explained that nano businesses are enterprises with fewer than three employees and an annual turnover of less than ₦3 million.
