FG to increase salary, welfare of soldiers – CDS

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The federal government said it has concluded arrangements to increase the salaries and overall welfare of personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to boost their morale in carrying out their assigned task of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.

Aside improving their salary,  it has also concluded arrangements to improve post-service welfare for personnel, particularly through access to soft loans for spouses and affordable housing schemes for serving and retired personnel.

Chief of Defence Staff(CDS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, made this known at the Social Night for soldiers, ratings, airmen and airwomen as part of activities lined up to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD).

The CDS, who said the initiative was being pursued in conjunction with the Service Chiefs and with the approval of president Bola Tinubu, thanked the President for his unwavering support of the Armed Forces, as well as to the Service Chiefs for their leadership and commitment to improving the welfare and morale of personnel.

Oluyede, while assuring that 2026 would be a better year for personnel of the armed forces, commended soldiers, ratings, airmen and airwomen for their resilience and professionalism in safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty across all theatres of operation, saying that their sacrifices had continued to yield significant successes  across the country.

He also paid tribute to fallen heroes and acknowledged the crucial role of military families, describing their prayers and sacrifices as a silent but powerful force behind every successful mission.

He urged them to continue to resilient, determined and give no room to terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and other enemies of Nigeria to carry out their attack at will.

Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Administration (CDA), Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim, who described the Social Night as a deliberate and special gathering designed to give personnel the opportunity to unwind, reflect and celebrate, said the occasion also provides a solemn moment to honour and remember fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in the defence of the nation, stressing that their sacrifices remained a timeless source of inspiration to serving personnel.