FG increases pension for soldiers
The Federal Government has approved a new pensionable salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The new structure affects personnel in the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force and took effect from September 1, 2026.
The approval was contained in a circular issued on September 3 by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
The document followed an earlier review of the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure and was approved by President Bola Tinubu in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Under the new arrangement, Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals occupy the highest level, with their annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦21.9 million to ₦29.75 million, depending on their salary steps.
The highest figure works out to roughly ₦2.48 million per month when divided by 12.
Lieutenant Generals, Vice Admirals and Air Marshals will have annual pensionable salaries between ₦16.99 million and ₦25.91 million.
Major Generals, Rear Admirals and Air Vice Marshals will receive pensionable salaries ranging from about ₦14.98 million to ₦23.9 million annually.
For Brigadier Generals, Commodores and Air Commodores, the approved annual pensionable figures range from ₦13.86 million to ₦16.39 million.
Colonels, Captains and Group Captains will have annual pensionable salaries between ₦8.31 million and ₦9.49 million, while Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders and Wing Commanders will fall between ₦7.55 million and ₦8.74 million.
Majors, Lieutenant Commanders and Squadron Leaders will have pensionable salaries ranging from ₦5.99 million to ₦7.01 million annually.
Captains, Lieutenants and Flight Lieutenants will receive between ₦5.28 million and ₦6.42 million.
At the junior officer level, Second Lieutenants, Midshipmen and Pilot Officers will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦4.92 million to ₦5.59 million.
The new structure also covers non-commissioned personnel.
Warrant Officers across the three services will have annual pensionable salaries between ₦4.53 million and ₦5.17 million, while Master Warrant Officers will receive between ₦3.94 million and ₦4.93 million.
Warrant Officers will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦3.46 million to ₦4.35 million. Staff Sergeants, Petty Officers and Flight Sergeants will have figures between ₦2.98 million and ₦3.76 million.
Sergeants and Leading Seamen will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦2.81 million to ₦3.16 million, while Corporals and Able Seamen will receive between ₦2.48 million and ₦2.73 million.
Lance Corporals and Seamen will have pensionable salaries between ₦2.32 million and ₦2.58 million annually.
Privates, Ordinary Seamen and Aircraftmen will have figures ranging from ₦2.28 million to ₦2.49 million.
The government clarified that the amounts contained in the new schedule are meant for calculating pension benefits.
They should not be treated as the actual monthly salaries or take-home pay of serving military personnel.
