President Bola Tinubu has said new military formations, improved personnel welfare and expanded infrastructure are strengthening the Armed Forces’ capacity to respond to security threats across Nigeria.
Tinubu said the Nigerian Army had operationalised new formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun states, bringing troops closer to vulnerable communities and improving their ability to respond to threats. He also said new barracks and military depots were being constructed in Abuja, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Kogi, while a facility in Osun had been completed.
The President linked the expansion of military infrastructure to recent improvements in personnel welfare, including an increase in the salaries of Armed Forces personnel. He said feedback from servicemen and women indicated that the pay adjustment was improving conditions for personnel and their families.
Tinubu also stressed that military deployments placed significant demands on the families of personnel. He said supporting service members therefore required attention to their remuneration, infrastructure, equipment and the welfare of families affected by deployments.
Separately, the Military Pensions Board announced that newly approved pension rates arising from the 2024 minimum wage adjustment had been implemented. The board said pension arrears had been processed and would be credited to military pensioners’ accounts from October 2.
The development follows longstanding concerns over delayed pension adjustments and outstanding entitlements. The Federal Government had previously approved consequential pension increases under various salary structures, including the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure, while provisions were also made in the 2026 budget for military pensions, gratuities and outstanding arrears.
Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume welcomed the salary increase, saying it demonstrated the administration’s commitment to improving military morale. He urged personnel to intensify efforts against insurgency, kidnapping and banditry, and called for stronger coordination between the Army and Air Force, including through the activation of Army Aviation.
