Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving salary increases for about 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, saying the move will boost the morale of troops and support the fight against insecurity.
President Tinubu last week approved salary increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent for military personnel, with the new rates scheduled to take effect next month.
The adjustment will increase the annual wage bill of the Armed Forces from N660 billion to N924 billion.
Under the new structure, officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant-generals and generals, will receive a 30 per cent increase.
Personnel from the rank of colonel to warrant officer will receive a 50 per cent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant will get an 80 per cent increase.
Ndume, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Army, made the commendation in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said the salary review demonstrated the President’s commitment to addressing insecurity and improving the welfare of military personnel.
“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,” Ndume said.
He added that the salary increase would significantly improve the motivation of troops, noting that he had consistently advocated better welfare and decent wages for military personnel.
“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,” he said.
Ndume said the approval also demonstrated that Tinubu was responsive to legitimate concerns raised by Nigerians.
“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,” he said.
Ndume Seeks Direct Payment
However, the Borno South senator stressed that improved salaries alone would not be enough to defeat insurgency and other security threats.
He urged the Federal Government to complement the salary review with the prompt provision of arms, ammunition and other operational logistics required by the military.
Ndume also called for mechanisms that would ensure the increased salaries are paid directly to military personnel, saying this would help guarantee that the full benefit of the government’s intervention reaches the troops.
