‘They deserve pay that reflect their sacrifice’ — Ndume seeks minimum wage, welfare boost for armed forces

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, has initiated a motion in the senate seeking a review of the salaries and welfare of members of the Nigerian armed forces.

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”, will be debated on Wednesday.

The motion by the former senate leader calls for a substantial upward review of troops’ pay to reflect current economic realities.

Ndume described the current minimum monthly wage of N50,000 to N60,000 for junior personnel as “grossly inadequate”, given the inflationary pressures and the sacrifices made by troops defending the country.

“Our soldiers are risking their lives daily in defence of the nation,” he said.

“They deserve pay that reflects their sacrifice and the high-risk conditions under which they serve.”

He noted that the poor remuneration has led to low morale, attrition, and financial hardship among personnel, warning that delayed or inconsistent allowances could expose troops to corruption and weaken operational efficiency.

Comparing Nigeria’s wage structure with other African countries, Ndume said a private in Ghana earns the equivalent of N180,000 monthly, while in South Africa, the figure starts at N250,000.

He noted that in Kenya and Egypt, similar ranks earn between N200,000 and N280,000 monthly.

The lawmaker stated that aligning the pay of Nigerian troops with international standards would boost morale, strengthen professionalism, and demonstrate national appreciation for their sacrifices.

If adopted, the motion will urge the federal government to work with the ministries of defence and finance, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), and other relevant agencies to review and increase the salary structure of the armed forces.

It will also mandate the senate committees on defence, army, navy, and air force to determine realistic remuneration benchmarks and recommend periodic wage reviews every three years.