Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that funds approved for the Nigerian Armed Forces’ new salary package are transferred directly to the military. Ndume, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, made the call while reacting to the President’s recent approval of salary increases for about 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The senator said the salary review demonstrated the administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity and motivating military personnel fighting terrorism and banditry across the country.
Ndume also linked the salary increase to the recent expansion of Nigeria’s military divisions from eight to 12, saying the developments indicated that the President had a broader strategy for addressing the country’s security challenges.
“The President should ensure direct transfer of these funds for the military,” Ndume said.
He maintained that improved remuneration would boost the morale of soldiers and officers, particularly those operating in difficult and dangerous environments.
Ndume said he had consistently advocated better welfare and decent living wages for members of the Armed Forces, stressing that adequate remuneration was essential for effective military service.
However, the lawmaker cautioned that improved salaries alone would not be enough to defeat terrorism and insurgency.
He urged the Federal Government to complement the salary increase with the timely provision of arms, ammunition, equipment and other operational logistics required by troops in the field.
According to him, ensuring that military personnel are properly equipped, alongside improved welfare, would strengthen the Armed Forces’ capacity to confront terrorism, banditry and other security threats.
We will continue to monitor developments surrounding Nigeria’s military reforms, personnel welfare and the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle insecurity.