A dismissed Nigerian soldier, Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as Soja Boi, has challenged the Nigerian Army to make its payroll public after presenting bank transaction alerts he says reflect the earnings of serving personnel.
Olamilekan, a former lance corporal, shared the claims in a video released shortly after the Army dismissed his earlier allegations as false, insisting he was speaking facts backed by evidence.
In the video, he displayed three transaction alerts, including a February 2, 2026 credit of N112,061.59, which he described as his monthly salary. Additional payments included N20,000, which he identified as a “grumbling allowance,” and N45,000, which he said was an operational allowance for personnel deployed to conflict zones such as Maiduguri.
He explained that the operational allowance was conditional and only paid during active deployment, while those on routine barracks duty received just their salary and the smaller allowance.
Olamilekan also reiterated claims that soldiers are required to purchase personal protective gear, including helmets and fragmentation jackets, contrary to official provisions.
He urged Nigerians with relatives in the military to verify his claims independently and called on the Army to release official payroll records to clarify the issue.
However, the Nigerian Army has rejected his assertions, describing them as baseless. In a statement, it maintained that all personnel are provided with necessary uniforms, kits, arms, and protective equipment through established systems, adding that any personal purchases are voluntary.
The Army further stated that soldiers receive consolidated salaries alongside allowances paid directly into their accounts, noting that Olamilekan’s dismissal was due to disciplinary violations, including breaches of its social media policy, and not related to his public comments.
