President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon announce another salary increase for personnel of the Armed Forces as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve troop welfare, Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.) has said.

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon announce a fresh salary increase for members of the Armed Forces as part of ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel.

Musa disclosed this during a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of service personnel at Lungi Barracks in Abuja.

He said the Federal Government remains committed to adequately rewarding soldiers for the sacrifices they make in defending the country.

“I want to state here that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving ₦100,000, and I know that generated both positive and negative reactions,” Musa said.

“When I was Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers were receiving ₦49,000. About two years ago, I pushed for an increase to ₦100,000, and that was achieved.

“We are, however, making further efforts to increase it again. We know our President is a listening father who understands the sacrifices our troops are making and is committed to ensuring they are well remunerated.

“So, I am confident that very soon Mr. President will announce another salary increase for our men.”

The workshop, themed ‘Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,’ was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

Musa said the initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the economic well-being of military families, particularly widows and spouses of non-commissioned officers serving in operational theatres across the country.

He noted that while members of the Armed Forces continue to confront complex security challenges and spend extended periods away from their families, the government recognises the vital role their spouses and dependants play in sustaining their morale and effectiveness.

“Every day, our personnel confront complex security challenges in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the protection of the lives and property of our citizens,” he said.

“Many serve in difficult operational environments, separated from their families for extended periods and exposed to considerable risks. While their courage and sacrifice are rightly celebrated, we must equally recognise the invaluable role played by the families who stand firmly behind them.

“To the spouses gathered here today, your resilience, patience and steadfast support give your loved ones the confidence to remain focused on their responsibilities.

“To our widows whose husbands served Nigeria with honour and distinction, your strength and perseverance in the face of loss remain an enduring source of inspiration.”

The minister said strengthening the economic resilience of military families is an investment in national security, as financially secure families enable service personnel to focus fully on their operational duties.

He added that the entrepreneurship programme was designed to equip participants with practical business and enterprise management skills to help them establish sustainable businesses, generate income and contribute to the economy.

Musa also thanked President Tinubu for what he described as his unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Speaking at the event, SMEDAN Director-General and Chief Executive Officer Charles Odii announced that the agency had disbursed ₦25 million to 500 widows and wives of soldiers serving on the frontlines as part of the empowerment programme.

Odii said the intervention aligns with the Tinubu administration’s commitment to supporting small businesses and improving livelihoods through enterprise development.

He recalled that the President approved a ₦200 billion intervention fund comprising ₦75 billion in single-digit interest loans for manufacturers, another ₦75 billion for small businesses, and ₦50 billion in grants for nano-businesses, under which the beneficiaries of the military families’ programme fall.

According to him, the grant is not a one-off intervention.

“If you take the seed money we are giving you, invest it in your business, and the business grows, we will come back here in another year and double the amount we have given you,” Odii said.

He added that SMEDAN would monitor the beneficiaries’ businesses to ensure the funds are properly utilised and to identify entrepreneurs eligible for additional financial support.