By Atoyebi Nike
The Senate has called on the Federal Government to review the minimum wage and salary structure of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to reflect current economic realities.
The resolution followed a motion moved on Tuesday by Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, who said the pay for soldiers and security operatives is no longer sustainable given inflation and the rising cost of living.
Ndume described the current minimum wage of between ₦50,000 and ₦60,000 for junior personnel as “grossly inadequate,” noting that troops in other African countries earn far higher wages.
He cited examples from Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa, where entry-level soldiers earn between ₦180,000 and ₦280,000 monthly, excluding allowances.
Adopting the motion, the Senate urged the Ministries of Defence, Finance, and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to urgently review and increase pay for the Armed Forces.
Ndume also called for more recruitment and better equipment for the military, stressing that the last salary adjustment was made in 2008.
