The Federal Government has approved a new pensionable salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, raising the annual figure for Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals to N29.75m.
The amount translates to about N2.48m monthly when spread across 12 months. However, the figure applies to pension calculations and does not represent the monthly take-home pay of serving military officers.
The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission announced the review in a circular dated September 3, 2026. The new structure took effect from September 1 and covers personnel of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Generals Top New Pension Scale
Under the revised structure, Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from N21.90m to N29.75m, depending on their salary steps.
Lieutenant Generals, Vice Admirals and Air Marshals will have annual pensionable salaries between N16.99m and N25.91m. Major Generals, Rear Admirals and Air Vice Marshals will receive between N14.98m and N23.90m for pension purposes.
Brigadier Generals, Commodores and Air Commodores will have annual figures ranging from N13.86m to N16.39m. For Colonels, Captains and Group Captains, the new pensionable salaries will range from N8.31m to N9.49m annually.
The commission also reviewed the figures for officers further down the hierarchy. Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders and Wing Commanders will have annual pensionable salaries between N7.55m and N8.74m, while Majors, Lieutenant Commanders and Squadron Leaders will receive between N5.99m and N7.01m.
New Figures Cover Junior Ranks
The review also extends to junior officers and non-commissioned personnel.
Captains, Lieutenants and Flight Lieutenants will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from N5.28m to N6.42m. Meanwhile, Second Lieutenants, Midshipmen and Pilot Officers will receive between N4.92m and N5.59m.
At the warrant officer level, the annual pensionable figures range from N3.46m to N5.17m, depending on rank and salary step. Master Warrant Officers will have between N3.94m and N4.93m.
Staff Sergeants, Petty Officers and Flight Sergeants will receive between N2.98m and N3.76m annually for pension purposes. Sergeants and Leading Seamen will have figures ranging from N2.81m to N3.16m.
For Corporals and Able Seamen, the figures range from N2.48m to N2.73m. Lance Corporals and Seamen will have between N2.32m and N2.58m, while Privates, Ordinary Seamen and Aircraftmen will receive between N2.28m and N2.49m annually.
FG Clarifies Purpose of Review
The commission made it clear that the new figures are strictly for pension purposes.
Therefore, the N29.75m annual figure for the highest military ranks should not be interpreted as a N2.5m monthly salary for serving personnel.
The circular, titled “Review of Gross Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure for Pension Purposes,” followed an earlier review of the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure.
According to the commission, the latest adjustment complies with Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution. The provision requires pension reviews every five years or alongside salary reviews for public servants, whichever comes earlier.
President Bola Tinubu approved the review in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Major General Junaidu S. Bindawa (retd.), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, signed the circular. The document was addressed to senior government officials, including the Ministers of Defence and Finance, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Accountant-General of the Federation.
Review Follows Military Pay Increase
The pension review comes shortly after the Federal Government approved a separate upward review of the remuneration of Armed Forces personnel.
That broader salary adjustment introduced different increases across the ranks, with junior personnel receiving the largest percentage adjustment.
The government has said the reforms are intended to improve military welfare as troops continue to confront terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other security threats across the country.
The latest pension structure will also affect retired military personnel because pension benefits are linked to approved pensionable emoluments.
Security Experts React
The development has received support from security experts, who said improved remuneration could strengthen the morale of military personnel.
A Fellow of the International Institute of Professional Security, Abdullahi Jabi, described the review as a positive step towards improving the welfare of troops.
Jabi said better pay was important because military personnel risk their lives while serving the country.
“Let me commend Mr. President and the ruling party for taking these bold decisions. I am saying this against the background that it takes a man of courage to want to introduce major reforms that have to motivate, particularly, the men of the Armed Forces that surrender their lives to the state to protect others,” he said.
He, however, urged the government to address other welfare concerns affecting serving and retired personnel. These, he said, include housing, healthcare, transportation and education for military families.
Another security analyst, Chidi Omeje, also described the review as justified, given the risks faced by troops during military operations.
“Whatever our servicemen are given is just okay. If you compare what they do and the kind of service they render, these are people who put their lives on the line for the country,” Omeje said.
He added that improved remuneration could encourage greater commitment among troops and assure them that the country values their sacrifices.
