The Federal Government’s decision to increase the minimum monthly salary of junior military personnel from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000 has received cautious praise from retired military officers, who say the move is a step in the right direction but remains insufficient amid Nigeria’s rising cost of living.
Retired Major Muhammad Bashir Galma, a security analyst, commended the government for prioritizing the welfare of soldiers but argued that the new salary does not adequately reflect the economic realities facing Nigerians or the sacrifices made by troops combating insurgency and other security threats.
Speaking with DAILY POST, Galma said the salary adjustment could improve the morale of military personnel but stressed that it falls short of meeting basic monthly expenses.
“We cannot say the government has not made an effort. But when you consider the current economic situation, ₦100,000 is not enough to meet a person’s monthly needs,” he said.
His comments follow last week’s announcement by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), who disclosed that the Federal Government plans to raise the entry-level monthly salary of junior soldiers to ₦100,000, nearly doubling the previous wage of ₦49,000.
Despite the proposed increase, the Defence Minister acknowledged that military funding remains inadequate to effectively address the country’s growing security challenges.
The announcement has since generated widespread public debate, with many Nigerians questioning whether the new salary sufficiently compensates soldiers for the risks they face in the line of duty.
Galma noted that while soldiers receive additional allowances, the salary increase alone is not enough to guarantee their welfare. He also raised concerns about the government’s ability to sustainably finance the new wage structure without increasing the nation’s debt burden.
“Although there are other allowances paid to soldiers, ₦100,000 is still not enough. The bigger question is whether the government has the funds to implement this policy. We have seen the government resort to borrowing as the cost of everything continues to rise. We hope the money is available to implement this plan without taking on more debt. We also call on the government to review the salaries of soldiers and other security personnel again in the near future,” he added.
Echoing similar concerns, another retired senior military officer, who requested anonymity, said poor remuneration is only one of several issues affecting morale within the armed forces.
According to the retired officer, inadequate modern equipment and alleged irregularities in the payment of entitlements by some senior officers continue to undermine personnel welfare and operational effectiveness.
“There are problems such as inadequate modern equipment and unfair treatment in the payment of entitlements by some senior officers. Unless these issues are addressed, there is still a long way to go. That is why you see experienced soldiers leaving the service at a time when they are needed most,” the officer said.
The proposed salary increase continues to attract mixed reactions, with security experts and members of the public expressing hope that improved welfare, better funding, and enhanced working conditions will strengthen the morale of military personnel and boost Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.
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