Tinubu Meets Security Chiefs as Troops, Veterans Fault ₦100,000 Salary, Demand Promised Pay Rise

By Frontline Reporters

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday convened a high-level security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid growing outrage from serving military personnel and veterans over the Federal Government’s disclosure that Nigerian soldiers now earn a minimum monthly salary of ₦100,000.

The closed-door meeting, which brought together the nation’s top military commanders, intelligence chiefs and security advisers, came as troops accused the Federal Government of failing to implement the salary increase the President promised nearly four months ago.

Among those at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; and the President’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.), among other senior security officials.

Although the Presidency did not disclose details of the meeting, sources said discussions centred on the country’s worsening security challenges and ongoing military operations across various theatres.

Soldiers reject ₦100,000 salary

The meeting coincided with widespread criticism of remarks by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), who revealed that the Federal Government had increased the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000.

Speaking during an interview on News Central ahead of Friday’s NC Exclusive programme, Musa admitted that the defence sector remained underfunded but insisted the welfare of troops had improved.

“When they started, a soldier was collecting ₦49,000 monthly. We tried so hard, now he’s collecting ₦100,000,” the minister said while acknowledging that the current defence budget was still inadequate.

His comments immediately sparked criticism from veterans and serving personnel, many of whom described the amount as grossly insufficient considering Nigeria’s rising cost of living.

Retired soldier Abdul Isiak said the salary could barely sustain any family under prevailing economic conditions.

“What is ₦100,000 in today’s Nigeria? It cannot take anyone anywhere. If government pays soldiers better, they will naturally be more motivated to give their best,” he said.

Another retired serviceman, Sergeant Zaki Williams, questioned the minister’s claim, insisting many soldiers were not even receiving that amount.

“I doubt they are paying up to that figure. Even if they are, ₦100,000 is too ridiculous. A government paying soldiers that amount is not serious, considering the sacrifices they make daily,” he stated.

The Coordinator of the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, Abiodun Herbert-Durowaye, also dismissed the salary as inadequate.

“How can ₦100,000 be enough for someone risking his life for the country? Look at the prices of food, accommodation, school fees and transportation. It is nowhere near enough,” he lamented.

Troops demand implementation of Tinubu’s promise

Serving military personnel, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly, urged President Tinubu to immediately implement the salary review announced during an interfaith Iftar with service chiefs on March 7, 2026.

One officer said the government’s failure to fulfil its promise was damaging troop morale.

“Members of the Armed Forces risk their lives every day to defend Nigeria, yet their remuneration does not reflect the dangers and sacrifices associated with military service. The salary review must be implemented without further delay if the government is serious about restoring morale,” the officer said.

Another serving personnel warned that poor welfare was making military recruitment increasingly difficult.

“Many young Nigerians no longer see military service as financially rewarding. When soldiers continue to struggle like everyone else despite the enormous risks they face, it becomes difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel,” the source said.

Another appealed directly to President Tinubu to fulfil his pledge.

“During the Iftar with service chiefs, the President raised our hopes. We sincerely appeal to him to make that promise a reality because the current economic situation has made our salaries grossly inadequate,” the officer added.

Tinubu’s March promise

President Tinubu had, on March 7, 2026, announced plans to improve the welfare of military personnel during an interfaith breaking of fast with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa.

He assured members of the Armed Forces that his administration would prioritise their salaries, accommodation and family welfare.

“I assure you that we will do everything possible to ensure that you have no regrets. Your welfare, accommodation and the wellbeing of your families will remain a top priority,” the President had pledged.

However, four months after the announcement, soldiers say the promised salary adjustment has yet to be implemented.

Musa seeks death penalty for kidnappers

During the television interview, Defence Minister Musa also advocated the introduction of the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, arguing that tougher punishment was necessary to curb Nigeria’s growing kidnapping crisis.

“There must be deterrence. The laws are too soft, and that is why criminals continue to exploit them,” he said.

Commenting on the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, Musa alleged that the kidnappers were attempting to pressure the military into releasing some detained terrorist commanders.

“They are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders in custody. They believe abducting schoolchildren will force us to release them,” he explained, adding that the abductors had threatened to kill the victims if security forces intensified rescue operations.

The minister also dismissed allegations circulating on social media about poor feeding of soldiers, insisting that claims made by an officer identified as Justice Crack were deliberately manipulated to create a false impression.

Security meeting follows major military operations

Thursday’s security meeting came barely two days after troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, reportedly disrupted a major terrorist offensive in Zamfara and Katsina states.

Military authorities said airstrikes targeted a convoy of about 300 armed terrorists travelling on motorcycles from the Sunke-Kumbo axis toward Gummi, while troops also eliminated notorious bandit commander Alhaji Tukur in a separate operation.

In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai recently repelled another attack on the Mairari military base following renewed assaults by ISWAP fighters on military formations in Borno State.

Security analysts have warned that the insurgents appear to be intensifying efforts to overrun forward operating bases and weaken the operational capacity of the Armed Forces.

As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued an official statement on the outcome of Thursday’s security meeting. Meanwhile, repeated efforts to obtain comments from the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, on the salary concerns were unsuccessful.