The resolution followed a motion moved by the former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume (APC–Borno South), during Tuesday’s plenary session. The motion was titled “Urgent Need to Increase the Minimum Wage and Improve Conditions of Service for Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Other Security Agencies.”
Ndume noted that the country’s soldiers and security operatives deserve better compensation for the risks and sacrifices they undertake daily to preserve national security.
He said that the current minimum monthly wage for junior personnel in the Armed Forces, which ranges between ₦50,000 and ₦60,000 depending on rank, is “grossly inadequate” in light of inflation, the rising cost of living, and the scale of responsibilities they bear.
Citing examples, Ndume compared Nigeria’s military pay with those of other African countries, where entry-level soldiers earn much higher wages — about ₦180,000 in Ghana, ₦250,000 in South Africa, ₦230,000–₦280,000 in Egypt, and ₦200,000 in Kenya, excluding operational allowances.
“The wage level in Nigeria does not reflect the magnitude of sacrifices made by our troops who daily risk their lives in internal and external operations under hazardous conditions,” Ndume stated.
The Senate consequently urged the Federal Government through the Ministries of Defence, Finance, and National Planning, alongside the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, to review and substantially increase the pay of military personnel.
It also directed its Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force to liaise with relevant agencies to establish realistic and competitive remuneration standards for security agencies in line with international benchmarks.
Ndume further stressed that improving soldiers’ welfare is not just a moral duty but a strategic necessity for national stability and effective security operations.
He also urged the Federal Government to recruit more security personnel, especially within the Nigerian Army and Police, to address manpower shortages and strengthen the nation’s fight against insecurity.
