Senate Urges Minimum Wage For Armed Forces, Others

The Senate has called connected the national authorities to urgently reappraisal and summation the minimum wage and wage operation for unit successful the Nigerian Armed Forces and different information agencies, successful enactment with prevailing economical realities.

This followed the adoption of a question sponsored by erstwhile Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), yesterday 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, successful his presentation, emphasised that the nation’s information operatives merit amended compensation, considering the important risks, sacrifices, and operational demands they look successful maintaining bid and territorial integrity.

“These men and women hazard their lives regular successful high-risk zones—fighting terrorism, lipid theft, banditry, and convulsive crimes. Their existent wage does not bespeak the magnitude of their sacrifices,” Ndume said.

The lawmaker referenced Section 217(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the Armed Forces to support Nigeria from outer aggression, support its territorial integrity, and assistance civilian authorities erstwhile required.

He further noted that Nigeria’s information architecture comprises not lone the Armed Forces — the Army, Navy, and Air Force — but besides captious agencies similar the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Immigration Service (NIS), and others.

While consolidated wage structures and allowances beryllium crossed these services, Ndume raised concerns that the existent wage levels and payment packages person been rendered inadequate owed to the rising outgo of living.

Ndume pointed retired that: “A backstage worker successful Ghana earns the equivalent of ₦180,000 monthly; In South Africa, the starting wage is astir ₦250,000; In Egypt, inferior ranks gain betwixt ₦230,000–₦280,000; In Kenya, a backstage earns astir ₦200,000, excluding operational allowances.

“In contrast, Nigerian troops gain betwixt ₦50,000 and ₦60,000, contempt higher deployment frequencies and much demanding operational environments.

“Our troops are overstretched, underpaid, and look increasing fiscal hardship. This not lone affects morale and retention but besides exposes them to corruption and reduces operational effectiveness,” Ndume added.

Following extended deliberation, the Senate adopted the pursuing resolutions: “Urged the Federal Government, done the Ministries of Defence, Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, to reappraisal and substantially summation the minimum wage and wage operation of Armed Forces personnel.

“Mandated its Committees connected Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force to liaise with applicable ministries and agencies to found realistic and competitory remuneration benchmarks for assorted ranks, utilizing planetary standards for guidance.

“Called connected the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly’s Appropriations Committee to marque capable budgetary provisions for enhanced defence unit costs successful the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

“Urged the Federal Government to institute a argumentation of periodic wage reviews — astatine slightest each 3 years — to support subject salaries aligned with inflationary trends and planetary champion practices.”

He noted that improved remuneration would heighten unit morale, fortify professionalism, and show nationalist appreciation for the Armed Forces’ relation successful safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and stability.

Ndume concluded that a peculiar wage operation for the Armed Forces is not lone constitutionally permissible but besides morally necessary, considering the unsocial quality of their work.