The Nigerian Senate has opened debate on a motion seeking an upward review of the minimum wage and general conditions of service for members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies due to economic hardship, low morale, and the rising cost of living.
The motion, titled "Urgent Need to Increase the Minimum Wage and Improve Conditions of Service for Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Other Security Agencies," was sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South and is scheduled for full debate on Wednesday.
Ndume, a former Senate Leader, decried what he called the "grossly inadequate" remuneration of Nigerian military personnel, saying their pay structure falls far below that of their counterparts in other African countries, despite heavier deployment and operational demands.
Quoting Section 217(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Ndume stressed that the Armed Forces are constitutionally mandated to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity and support civil authorities in maintaining law and order.
He argued that the current wage structure does not reflect the enormous risks and sacrifices made by troops "who daily face life-threatening situations in the line of duty."
According to him, the existing Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS) and related allowances have become obsolete in the face of surging inflation and worsening living conditions.
"Many junior and mid-level officers are now struggling to meet basic needs such as food, rent, school fees, and transportation," Ndume said.
According to him, the current minimum monthly wage for junior personnel in the Armed Forces ranges between N50,000 and N60,000, depending on rank, a figure he described as "grossly inadequate."
By comparison, the motion revealed that a private soldier in Ghana earns the equivalent of N180,000, while in South Africa, entry-level personnel take home around N250,000.
In Egypt, the equivalent pay stands between N230,000 and N280,000, and in Kenya, about N200,000, all excluding operational allowances.
Ndume disclosed that the wide pay gap has affected morale, retention, and discipline, leaving personnel vulnerable to corruption and psychological stress.
"It is both constitutionally permissible and morally justifiable that Nigeria adopts a special salary structure for the Armed Forces. In countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and India, military salaries are deliberately pegged above national minimum wage levels to recognise the unique risks and discipline required of the profession," he said.
The lawmaker urged the Senate to call on the Federal Government, through the Ministries of Defence, Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, to immediately review and substantially increase the minimum wage and salary structure for the military and security agencies.
He also proposed that the Senate Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force liaise with relevant ministries and agencies to set realistic remuneration benchmarks, drawing from global best practices.
Ndume further urged that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly Appropriations Committee make adequate budgetary provisions for improved Defence Personnel Costs in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
He called for the establishment of a policy mandating periodic wage reviews every three years to keep pay levels in tune with inflation and international standards.
Improved welfare for military and paramilitary personnel, he believed, would not only strengthen professionalism and operational readiness but also reflect national gratitude for their sacrifices in combating terrorism, insurgency, oil theft, and other threats to national security.
He warned that continued neglect of the Armed Forces’ welfare could have serious implications for morale and national stability, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to "accord Nigerian soldiers the dignity and reward they truly deserve."
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