The Federal Government has increased the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000, according to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who described the adjustment as part of ongoing efforts to improve the welfare and morale of military personnel.
The minister disclosed the development during an interview with News Central, where he acknowledged that although the salary increase represents a significant improvement for rank-and-file soldiers, the country's defence budget remains insufficient to meet all the operational and welfare needs of the armed forces.
According to the minister, the welfare review reflects the Federal Government's commitment to supporting troops who continue to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other security threats across different parts of the country.
He noted that better welfare remains an important component of strengthening the military's effectiveness.
Despite the salary increase, the minister admitted that the military still faces funding challenges, stressing that available resources are not yet enough to fully support the scale of Nigeria's security operations.
He maintained that the government would continue seeking ways to improve both operational capacity and personnel welfare.
During the interview, the minister also renewed his call for stricter punishment for kidnappers, arguing that stronger penalties would serve as a deterrent to the growing wave of abductions across the country.
He said tougher laws would help discourage criminal activities and strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
Commenting on allegations that soldiers are poorly fed, the minister dismissed claims circulated on social media, insisting that the reports did not accurately reflect conditions within the military.
He alleged that a widely shared video showing inadequate meals had been deliberately staged to create a misleading impression of troop welfare.
The minister explained that the government remains focused on improving the living conditions of military personnel through better remuneration, enhanced logistics, and sustained investment in defence infrastructure.
He added that troop welfare is essential to maintaining morale and achieving operational success.
Security analysts have long argued that competitive salaries and improved welfare packages are critical to boosting motivation among military personnel, reducing attrition, and strengthening Nigeria's ability to respond effectively to evolving security threats.
The latest salary review comes as the armed forces continue operations against insurgents in the North-East, bandits in the North-West, and criminal groups involved in kidnapping and other violent crimes across several regions of the country.