Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu for implementing the salary increase approved for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, urging military officers and men to reciprocate the gesture with renewed efforts to tackle insecurity.
Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District and is a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday.
He said the implementation of the new salary structure demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare and morale of military personnel involved in operations against insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.
“Making a pronouncement is one thing, redeeming your pledge is a different ball game entirely,” Ndume said.
He added that the implementation of the salary increase promised to the Nigerian Army was an indication that the President had fulfilled his commitment to improving military welfare.
The salary review, which took effect from September 1, 2026, provides increases ranging from 30 per cent to 80 per cent, depending on rank. Personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant are to receive an 80 per cent increase, those from Warrant Officer to Colonel are to receive 50 per cent, while officers above the rank of Colonel are to receive 30 per cent.
The Presidency had said the review would raise the annual personnel cost of the Armed Forces from N660 billion to N924 billion and benefit about 250,000 personnel. The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, subsequently confirmed that implementation of the salary review had commenced.
Reacting to the development, Ndume urged military personnel to intensify their efforts against insecurity, particularly following the government’s recent recruitment of additional troops.
“I want to urge our officers to redouble their efforts to curtail insecurity since the present administration is doing everything to boost their morale,” he said.
“They should do more now that they also have more troops on the ground with the recent recruitment.”
Ndume also said the activation of Army Aviation could complement the operations of the Nigerian Air Force, particularly in counter-insurgency and counter-banditry operations.
He further called for stronger coordination between Army infantry formations and the Air Force in ongoing security operations.
The senator said improved cooperation between the services, alongside better welfare and operational capacity, would support efforts to address security challenges across the country.
