Military veterans have called on the Federal Government to immediately implement the approved ₦250,000 minimum wage for serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, expressing frustration over what they described as prolonged delays in enforcing a salary review already approved through the legislative process.
The demand was made during a retreat held on Monday at the Armed Forces Headquarters Command Mess 1 in Abuja, where more than 70 retired military officers gathered to discuss issues affecting both serving and retired personnel.
Although the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, was expected to attend the meeting, he was represented by five senior military officers due to his participation in another official engagement at the Presidential Villa.
According to one of the organisers of the retreat, Colonel Innocent Azubike (Rtd.), the veterans presented documentary evidence to the military representatives to support their claims that the salary increase had already been approved. He said the officers acknowledged the documents and assured the veterans that the matter would be immediately brought to the attention of the Chief of Defence Staff upon his return.
Azubike explained that the veterans were encouraged by the response of the officers, noting that they accepted the facts presented during the meeting and promised to submit a comprehensive report to the CDS. The retired officers said they would allow about a week for a response before deciding on their next course of action.
The veterans maintained that the salary review was approved after the National Assembly passed legislation in October 2025 following a comparative assessment of military salaries across several African countries. According to them, the study revealed that Nigerian military personnel were among the lowest paid on the continent, prompting lawmakers to approve a significant upward review.
They said the legislation fixed ₦250,000 as the minimum salary for the least-paid soldier and directed that the necessary funding be included in the 2026 national budget.
According to the veterans, President Bola Tinubu assented to the bill in November 2025 and directed that implementation should commence with three months of arrears. They recalled that the Presidency publicly announced the approval at the time, while the Ministry of Defence and military leadership also expressed appreciation and assured personnel that payment would begin soon.
However, the retired officers alleged that recent statements from military authorities appeared to contradict those earlier assurances. They expressed concern that officials had begun requesting documentary proof of the approved salary increase despite their previous involvement in the process.
The veterans also questioned recent comments suggesting that the minimum salary for military personnel had only been increased from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000, arguing that the figure relates to the implementation of the 2024 national minimum wage and is separate from the military salary review approved in 2025.
Describing the situation as disappointing, the veterans insisted that the approved salary structure should be implemented without further delay in line with the commitments made by the government.
They further disclosed that plans remain in place for a peaceful protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance if the issue is not resolved promptly. According to the organisers, the planned demonstration is intended to draw the attention of the President to what they believe is the non-implementation of an already approved policy.
The retired officers said preparations for the protest are ongoing, with supporters contributing resources to facilitate mobilisation should the need arise.
The veterans concluded by urging the Federal Government to honour its commitments to members of the Armed Forces by implementing the approved salary structure, emphasizing that improved welfare remains essential for maintaining the morale, dedication, and effectiveness of military personnel serving the nation.
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