General Christopher Musa, the Minister of Defence, has indicated that President Bola Tinubu is preparing to authorize a pay raise for Nigerian military members. This initiative is designed to bolster the welfare of soldiers who remain dedicated to protecting the country.
Speaking at a financial empowerment event for military spouses and widows in Abuja, Musa noted that he previously helped facilitate a salary adjustment from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000. He expressed optimism that the President will soon introduce a further increase, emphasizing the administration’s recognition of the sacrifices made by troops.
The workshop, themed ‘Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,’ was a joint effort between the Ministry of Defence and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). The program seeks to provide families of service members with the skills necessary to achieve economic stability.
According to SMEDAN Director-General Charles Odii, 500 widows and spouses of frontline soldiers each received financial support as part of a ₦25 million disbursement. This move is consistent with the broader ₦200 billion fund President Tinubu allocated to support national enterprise development.
Musa emphasized that a military’s strength relies heavily on the stability of its personnel’s families. By fostering economic resilience among these families, the government aims to ensure that soldiers can remain focused on their operational duties without unnecessary domestic concern.
