The Senate is scheduled to debate a motion on Wednesday, October 22, advocating for a significant increase in the minimum wage and improved working conditions for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.
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 Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South and former Chief Whip of the 10th Senate.
Senator Ndume described the current salaries and allowances for soldiers and security personnel as “grossly inadequate,” emphasizing that these men and women risk their lives daily to protect Nigeria under challenging circumstances.
He argued that the existing pay structure fails to reflect the sacrifices made by military and security personnel deployed nationwide—from counterterrorism efforts in the North-East to anti-banditry and oil theft operations in other regions.
Referencing Section 217(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Ndume reminded lawmakers that the Armed Forces are constitutionally mandated to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and assist civil authorities in maintaining law and order when necessary.
With inflation and living costs at record highs, he highlighted that junior personnel earning between ₦50,000 and ₦60,000 monthly face severe difficulties affording basic needs such as food, transportation, housing, and education for their families.
“Our troops are stretched thin across multiple fronts, yet their welfare has not kept pace with their sacrifices,” Ndume said.
He warned that poor pay, delayed allowances, and inadequate welfare contribute to low morale, desertion, and corruption within the security services. Comparing salaries across Africa, he noted that a private soldier in Ghana earns about ₦180,000 monthly, in Kenya ₦200,000, in Egypt between ₦230,000 and ₦280,000, and in South Africa about ₦250,000—figures that far exceed the Nigerian equivalent, despite the harsher conditions faced by Nigerian personnel.
Ndume expressed concern that these disparities undermine operational efficiency and public trust, insisting that better welfare would boost morale, discipline, and professionalism.
The motion also pointed out that in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and India, military pay is set above the national minimum wage to reflect the risks and responsibilities of service.
If adopted, the motion would call on the Federal Government—through the Ministries of Defence, Finance, and Budget and National Planning, along with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission—to substantially increase the minimum wage and salary structure for the Armed Forces in line with current economic realities.
It further urges the Senate Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force to collaborate with relevant agencies to establish realistic pay benchmarks consistent with international standards.
Additionally, the motion tasks the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly Appropriations Committee to allocate enhanced Defence Personnel costs in the 2026 budget.
If approved, the proposal would also establish a framework for regular wage reviews for military and security personnel, marking a critical step toward improving morale and strengthening Nigeria’s security framework.
