Abuja: The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has announced that President Bola Tinubu will soon declare another salary increase for the personnel of the Armed Forces. Musa made this disclosure on Monday during a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of service personnel in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister highlighted that the proposed salary increment is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance troop welfare and acknowledge the sacrifices made by military personnel. He recalled that when he served as Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers used to earn N49,000, which was later increased to N100,000 following his advocacy. The minister expressed confidence that a further increase would be announced soon.
The workshop, themed ‘Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development’, underscores the government’s commitment to supporting the economic stability of military families. The event was organized by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
Gen. Musa emphasized the importance of the support provided by the families of military personnel, acknowledging their role in maintaining morale as troops tackle complex security challenges. He praised the resilience and steadfastness of the spouses and honored the strength of widows who continue to inspire despite their loss.
Mr. Charles Odii, Director-General of SMEDAN, also addressed the gathering, revealing that the agency has distributed N25 million to 500 widows and wives of soldiers serving on the frontlines. This initiative is in line with President Tinubu’s N200 billion enterprise intervention fund, which includes a N50 billion grant for nano-businesses. Odii assured that those who invest wisely would receive further support, with the potential to double their seed money if their businesses show growth.