The Federal Government has increased the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000 as part of efforts to improve troop welfare and boost morale.
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, disclosed the salary adjustment during an interview, describing it as one of several welfare reforms introduced by the current administration for military personnel.
He also dismissed allegations circulating on social media that soldiers are poorly fed, insisting that the claims were misleading. According to the minister, a viral video suggesting poor feeding conditions had been manipulated to create a false impression.
While acknowledging improvements in welfare, the minister admitted that Nigeria’s current defence budget remains inadequate to meet the country’s growing security demands. He, however, assured that the government would continue investing in military welfare, equipment, and operational capacity to strengthen the Armed Forces.
On the issue of kidnapping, the minister advocated the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, arguing that tougher punishment is necessary to deter the rising wave of abductions across the country.
Commenting on the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, he alleged that the kidnappers were attempting to force the military to release some of their detained commanders. He added that the abductors had threatened to kill the victims if security forces moved closer to their hideout.
