Military Veterans Demand Immediate Implementation of Approved ₦250,000 Minimum Wage for Soldiers

Military veterans have urged the Federal Government to immediately implement the approved ₦250,000 minimum wage for serving military personnel, accusing authorities of stalling on a law already passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President.

The demand was presented during a strategic retreat in Abuja, attended by over 70 retired military officers at the Armed Forces Headquarters Command Mess 1. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, who was attending a meeting at the Presidential Villa, was represented by five senior military officers.

Veterans provided documentary proof of the approved salary review during the meeting. The CDS’s representatives acknowledged the documents and promised to brief the CDS immediately upon his return. Retired officers agreed to allow a one-week grace period for feedback from the military leadership before taking further steps.

According to veteran representatives, the National Assembly passed a bill in October 2025 to review military salaries after studies revealed Nigerian soldiers were among the lowest-paid on the continent. The Senate set the minimum wage for the lowest-ranking soldier at ₦250,000 and secured its funding in the 2026 budget. President Bola Tinubu signed the bill into law in November 2025, directing its implementation alongside three months of arrears.

However, veterans allege that in July 2026, the Ministry of Defence and military leadership backtracked on the agreement, claiming no knowledge of the ₦250,000 structure. They clarified that recent claims by the Minister of Defence regarding a wage increase to ₦100,000 actually refer to the general 2024 national minimum wage adjustment, which is entirely separate from the special military salary review approved in late 2025.

Organizers of the veteran group, including retired Col. Innocent Azubike, emphasized that mobilization for a peaceful protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance is ongoing. The retired personnel believe direct action will bring the bottleneck to the attention of President Tinubu, ensuring the swift release of the appropriated funds.