President Bola Tinubu on Thursday convened a closed-door security meeting with military commanders, intelligence chiefs and senior security advisers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid growing criticism over the monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers.
The meeting came as veterans and serving military personnel criticised the disclosure by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, that the minimum monthly salary for soldiers is now ₦100,000, describing the amount as inadequate in the face of Nigeria’s rising cost of living.
According to a report by Punch Newspapers, retired and serving personnel accused the Federal Government of failing to implement the salary increase President Tinubu announced in March 2026.
Retired soldier Abdul Isiak said ₦100,000 could no longer meet basic living expenses, arguing that improved welfare would motivate troops to perform better.
Another retired sergeant, Zaki Williams, questioned whether soldiers were even receiving the amount announced by the minister, describing the figure as insufficient for personnel risking their lives daily.
The Coordinator of the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, Abiodun Herbert-Durowaye, also faulted the salary, saying it could not adequately cater for accommodation, feeding, education and other essential needs of military families.
During an interview with News Central, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar acknowledged that the defence budget remained inadequate but said the Federal Government had increased the minimum monthly salary for soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000.
The minister also called for the introduction of the death penalty for kidnappers, arguing that tougher punishments would serve as a stronger deterrent against the growing wave of abductions across the country.
He further dismissed allegations of poor feeding in the military, insisting that reports circulating on social media misrepresented the quality of meals served to troops.
Serving military personnel, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly, urged the Federal Government to immediately implement the salary review announced by President Tinubu earlier this year.
One officer said poor remuneration had weakened morale and contributed to an increasing number of personnel abandoning service, while another warned that low pay was discouraging many Nigerians from joining the Armed Forces.
The personnel appealed to President Tinubu to fulfil his promise, noting that many military families were struggling with the country’s high cost of living.
President Tinubu had announced plans for a salary increase during an interfaith breaking of fast with Service Chiefs on March 7, 2026, assuring members of the Armed Forces that his administration would prioritise their welfare, accommodation and family benefits.
Thursday’s security meeting brought together National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Isa, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, intelligence chiefs and other top security officials.
The meeting followed recent military operations against terrorists and bandits in Zamfara, Katsina and the North-East, including airstrikes that disrupted a large terrorist convoy and operations targeting notorious bandit leaders.
The Presidency had not released details of the meeting at the time of filing the report.
