Military veterans have called on the Federal Government to immediately implement the approved ₦250,000 minimum wage for serving military personnel, accusing authorities of delaying the enforcement of a law they say has already been passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu.
The demand was made during a retreat of over 70 retired military officers in Abuja. Although the Chief of Defence Staff was absent due to another official engagement, five senior military officers represented him, received the veterans’ submissions and promised to brief him immediately.
One of the organisers, retired Colonel Innocent Azubike, said the representatives acknowledged the documents presented by the veterans and agreed that their claims were factual. He expressed hope that the CDS would respond within a week after reviewing the report.
According to Azubike, the National Assembly approved the military pay review in October 2025 after finding that Nigeria had one of the lowest military salary structures in Africa. The bill reportedly set ₦250,000 as the minimum salary for the least-paid soldier, with funding included in the 2026 budget.
He added that President Tinubu signed the bill into law in November 2025 and directed that implementation should include three months’ salary arrears. However, the veterans alleged that despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of Defence and military authorities, the new salary structure has yet to take effect.
The retirees also criticised recent comments by the Minister of Defence, who reportedly stated that the military minimum wage had only increased from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000. They insisted the ₦100,000 figure was linked to the 2024 national minimum wage adjustment and not the separate military salary review approved in 2025.
The veterans said they would proceed with a planned peaceful protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance if the delay continues, urging the government to honour its commitment and immediately implement the approved pay structure for serving military personnel.
