Ndume Hails Military Salary Increase, Urges Tinubu to Allow Direct Funding

ABUJA — Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s approval of salary increases for about 250,000 Nigerian military personnel, describing the measure as an important step towards improving troop morale.

The President approved salary adjustments of between 30 and 80 per cent for members of the Armed Forces last week, with the new rates scheduled to commence next month.

The increase will push the Armed Forces’ annual wage bill from N660 billion to N924 billion.

Under the new arrangement, officers above the rank of colonel — including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant-generals and generals — will receive a 30 per cent salary increase.

Those between the ranks of colonel and warrant officer will receive a 50 per cent increase, while personnel from private to staff sergeant will get an 80 per cent increase.

Ndume, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Army, said in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday that the salary review was evidence of Tinubu’s determination to address terrorism and banditry.

He said, “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.”

According to Ndume, better remuneration would help motivate troops and improve their welfare.

“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.

He added, “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.”

Despite praising the salary increase, Ndume cautioned that improved welfare alone would not guarantee victory over insurgents. He called for the prompt provision of weapons, ammunition and modern technological equipment to military personnel.

“I have always argued that aside better welfare package and training, what they need to deal with insurgents is prompt supply of arms and ammunition,” Ndume said.

“I also want to urge Mr. President to keep up his pledge on the provision of weapons and technological tools required to the Armed Forces to effectively discharge their duties.”

The Borno South senator also proposed that the military’s annual defence budget be placed on First Line Charge to reduce bureaucratic delays between government ministries.

“All these can be achieved seamlessly if we put their annual budget on First Line Charge. This envelope budgeting is trapped in unnecessary bureaucracy between the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Finance. It is a big encumbrance to effective operations of our men and officers in the war theater,” he said.

Ndume urged President Tinubu to consider direct statutory funding for the military from the Federation Account.

“Mr. President should seize the initiative to ensure direct statutory transfer from the Federation Account for the military as it is done with few agencies of government,” he said.

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