By EgbemaVoice,
The Senate has slated a debate on a motion seeking to increase the minimum wage and enhance overall conditions of service for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies, citing economic hardship, low morale, and the pressing need to strengthen national security operations.
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 former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), and is scheduled for discussion on Wednesday.
Ndume lamented what he described as the “grossly inadequate” remuneration of military personnel, arguing that their pay falls far behind that of counterparts in other African countries despite higher deployment frequencies and operational demands.
Quoting Section 217(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the Armed Forces to defend the country’s territorial integrity, assist civil authorities, and maintain law and order, Ndume stressed that the current salary structure fails to reflect the magnitude of sacrifices made by soldiers who “daily risk their lives in internal and external operations under extreme and hazardous conditions.”
He noted that the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS), along with operational allowances and group life insurance provisions, has become outdated amid rising inflation, increasing cost of living, and worsening socio-economic conditions.
“Many junior and mid-level personnel now face severe financial hardship, with salaries that can no longer meet basic needs such as food, accommodation, schooling, and transportation,” he said.
According to the motion, the current minimum monthly wage for junior personnel in the Armed Forces ranges between ₦50,000 and ₦60,000, depending on rank.
Ndume described this as “grossly inadequate” compared with other African countries. He cited that “a private soldier in Ghana earns the equivalent of ₦180,000, while in South Africa, entry-level personnel receive around ₦250,000. In Egypt, the equivalent pay ranges from ₦230,000 to ₦280,000, and in Kenya, privates earn about ₦200,000, excluding operational allowances.”
Ndume warned that such disparities not only affect morale and retention but also increase vulnerability to economic stress, corruption, and mental health challenges.
“It is both constitutionally permissible and morally justifiable that Nigeria adopts a special salary structure for the Armed Forces,” he argued, noting that “countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and India benchmark military pay above national minimum wage levels to reflect the unique risk and discipline associated with the profession.”
He urged the Senate to direct the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, to review and substantially increase the minimum wage and salary structure of the Armed Forces in line with current economic realities.
The motion also called for Senate Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force to work with relevant agencies to determine realistic remuneration benchmarks for different ranks, drawing on international standards.
Additionally, Ndume recommended that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly’s Appropriations Committee include provisions for enhanced Defence Personnel Costs in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, and that the Federal Government institute a policy for periodic wage reviews every three years to maintain parity with inflation and global benchmarks.
Ndume emphasised that improving the welfare of military and paramilitary personnel would “strengthen professionalism, boost operational readiness, and demonstrate national appreciation for their sacrifices in defending the country from terrorism, insurgency, oil theft, and other forms of insecurity.”
He further warned that continued neglect of the welfare of security personnel could undermine morale and national stability, urging the Tinubu administration to act decisively and “accord the Nigerian Armed Forces the dignity and reward they deserve.”
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