Lawan, Yar’Adua, Kalu hail Tinubu’s new salary structure for Armed Forces

By Haruna Salami

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North), his counterpart chairing the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua (Katsina Central) and Chairman Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, Senator Orji Ujor Kalu (Abia North) have commended President Bola Tinubu on the approval of new salary structure for Nigerian Armed Forces .

The trio in separate personally signed statements in Abuja described the President’s gesture as a timely moral booster for officers and men of the Armed forces.

Specifically, Senator Lawan in his commendation said the new salary structure in monetary terms, signifies N264billion vote of confidence in our Armed Forces and moral booster for more potent war against enemies of the Nation.

“The implementation of this new salary structure, which rightly increases the annual wage bill from N660 billion to N924 billion, represents a N264 billion vote of confidence in our Armed Forces.

“This investment will significantly boost the morale of the approximately 250,000 beneficiaries, giving them the psychological and material confidence required to confront the multiplicity of security threats facing our nation”, he said

He added that by the masterstroke singular policy, President Tinubu has demonstrated that the welfare of the men and women who stand in the line of fire to protect our sovereignty is a top priority of this administration.

“The details of this package are both thorough and fair. For our junior combatants (the Privates, Lance Corporals, Corporals, and Sergeants up to the rank of Staff Sergeant), who bear the heaviest physical toll of asymmetric warfare, an 80 per cent pay rise represents a renewed covenant of care.

“The 50 per cent increase for personnel from the rank of Warrant Officer to Colonel, and the 30 per cent adjustment for senior officers up to the rank of General, reflect a holistic recognition of the entire chain of command that sustains our fighting force”, he enthused.

In his own commendation , Senator Yar ‘ Adua said the timely intervention effective from September 1st, 2026, and covering about 250,000 personnel across all ranks, is a clear demonstration of Mr. President’s deep appreciation for the courage, patriotism, and sacrifices of those who keep our nation safe.

“At a time when our troops are confronting the scourge of banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and terrorism in different parts of the country, this welfare package will boost morale, restore dignity, and reaffirm that their service does not go unnoticed.

“Increasing the annual personnel wage bill from N660 billion to N924 billion shows the seriousness of this administration in prioritising the welfare and modernisation of our Armed Forces,”he said .

He added that the Senate Committee on Army will continue to work with the Executive to ensure full implementation of the welfare package, improved equipment, and better conditions of service for all ranks.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, in a similar vein, lauded President Tinubu for increasing salary of the military, urging troops to “sustain patriotism”.

Kalu said the decision by the president deserves commendation as it reflects a clear understanding that the welfare of members of the Armed Forces must remain a national priority.

According to the former Abia Governor Nigerian servicemen and women continue to make enormous sacrifices daily in defending the country’s sovereignty, protecting lives and confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across various theatres of operation.

“The decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve a salary increase for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces deserves commendation. It reflects an understanding that the welfare of those who defend our nation should remain a priority,” Kalu said.