Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sanctioning a pay raise for the Nigerian Armed Forces. He stated that this move serves as a vital enhancement to troop welfare and motivation.
In an address released Tuesday, Buratai noted that the new pay scale, active as of September 1, 2026, acknowledges the daily contributions of military personnel toward national protection. The salary structure includes a 30 percent raise for senior officers, 50 percent for mid-level staff, and 80 percent for junior ranks. Buratai highlighted that focusing on junior personnel effectively rewards those most active in combatting terrorism and kidnapping.
This initiative is expected to improve the morale of roughly 250,000 soldiers. Buratai also supported the government’s plan to modernize military technology, noting that raising the annual salary budget from N660 billion to N924 billion is a significant investment in national stability. He emphasized that security remains a cornerstone of national success. Consequently, he encouraged active troops to remain disciplined and dedicated, urging them to respond to this support with heightened patriotism as they continue to address security threats.
