Salary hike: Tinubu should ensure direct transfer for military – Ndume

President Bola Tinubu has approved a significant salary hike for approximately 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, a move intended to boost troop morale. The increases, ranging from 30% to 80%, will take effect next month, raising the annual wage bill from N660 billion to N924 billion.

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This coming after his recent expansion of military divisions from eight to 12 shows that Mr. President has his own blueprint aimed at dealing with the scourge of terrorism and banditry.

Officers from colonel upwards will receive a 30% increase, while those from colonel down to warrant officer will get 50%. Personnel from private to staff sergeant will see the largest boost at 80%. Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume praised the decision, viewing it as a clear plan to tackle insecurity and a sign of Tinubu's responsiveness to legitimate public concerns.

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The review of salary will go a long way in motivating our military personnel. I have been in the vanguard of better motivation for our men and officers in the military in terms of decent living wage.

Ndume, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Army, noted that this salary review, coupled with the recent expansion of military divisions from eight to 12, demonstrates a strategic blueprint for combating terrorism and banditry. He emphasized that improved welfare is crucial for motivating military personnel, a cause he has long advocated for.

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President Tinubu has once again proved that he is a responsive leader who doesn’t shut his mind to genuine and legitimate agitation of Nigerians.

However, Ndume cautioned that better pay alone is insufficient to win the war against insurgency. He urged the government to prioritize the prompt supply of arms, ammunition, and other essential logistics. Ndume also called for the annual defense budget to be placed on a First Line Charge, bypassing bureaucratic delays between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Finance, to ensure seamless operations and the provision of necessary technological tools for the Armed Forces.

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I have always argued that aside better welfare package and training, what they need to deal with insurgents is prompt supply of arms and ammunition.