The Federal Government has increased the minimum monthly wage for Nigerian soldiers to N100,000, Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), has disclosed.
Musa, speaking on News Central on Wednesday, said the pay rise followed a review of military welfare, though he maintained the defence budget remained insufficient. “When they started, a soldier was collecting N49,000 monthly. We tried so hard, now he’s collecting N100,000,” he said.
The former Chief of Defence Staff also called for the death penalty for kidnappers to deter rising abduction cases nationwide. In related developments, the Senate approved N403.1 billion for the Nigerian Police Trust Fund, covering N170.1 billion for 2025 and N233 billion for 2026, to boost police equipment, training, and operations.
President Bola Tinubu also forwarded a bill to the Senate seeking to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and replace it with a 2026 version aimed at ensuring speedy trials and protecting the rights of suspects and victims. The letter was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Separately, Senator Ali Ndume backed the military’s hard-line stance against terrorism, insisting negotiations would only embolden criminal groups. He cited the elimination of terrorist leaders and improved security in the North-East and South-East as proof the current strategy is working.
