President Tinubu Increases Military Pay and Expands Nigerian Army

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a salary increase of 30 to 80 percent for approximately 250,000 personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The pay raise is expected to increase the federal government's annual military wage bill by N264 billion.

Alongside the welfare review, the president authorized the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions. This growth includes the establishment of four new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City, supported by the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel.

Babajimi Benson, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, described the measures as strategic investments to improve troop morale and border security. He stated that the reforms are intended to increase the military's capacity to combat terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.