Soldiers Now Earn Minimum of N100,000 Monthly, Defence Minister Christopher Musa Says

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has disclosed that the Federal Government has increased the minimum monthly salary of soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000, describing the move as part of ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of personnel in the Armed Forces.

Speaking in an interview with News Central, Musa said the salary review reflects President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to boosting the morale of troops amid the country’s security challenges.

However, the minister admitted that the current defence budget remains inadequate to fully meet the operational needs of the military.

“It’s not enough,” Musa said when asked whether the existing funding was sufficient to effectively tackle Nigeria’s security threats.

Defence Budget Still Inadequate

Despite improvements in personnel welfare, Musa stressed that the Armed Forces require more resources to effectively prosecute the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.

He noted that military operations have expanded across several theatres, increasing the demand for equipment, logistics, intelligence gathering and personnel support.

The minister said the Federal Government remains committed to strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities while ensuring that military personnel receive better welfare packages.

Musa Calls for Death Penalty for Kidnappers

Christopher Musa also renewed his call for the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, arguing that tougher punishments are necessary to deter the growing wave of abductions across Nigeria.

According to him, weak sanctions have emboldened criminal gangs, making kidnapping a lucrative enterprise in many parts of the country.

He maintained that imposing stiffer penalties would send a strong message to criminals and contribute to improving national security.

Dismisses Claims of Poor Feeding in the Military

The minister also dismissed allegations that soldiers are poorly fed.

Reacting to a viral video that purportedly showed inadequate meals served to troops, Musa said investigations revealed that the incident was staged after a soldier allegedly removed some food items before recording the video.

He insisted that the Armed Forces have established welfare standards for feeding personnel and that the military remains committed to providing adequate nutrition, accommodation and improved welfare for its officers and soldiers.

The salary increase from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000 is one of several measures introduced by the Federal Government to improve the welfare of service personnel as the military continues operations against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats nationwide.

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