Nigerian Defence Minister Reports Soldier Salary Increase to N100,000; Dismisses Poor Feeding Claims

Nigeria's Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Retired), announced that the Federal Government has increased the minimum monthly salary for Nigerian soldiers from N49,000 to N100,000, marking a significant improvement in military personnel welfare. Musa made the disclosure during an interview with News Central on Wednesday, ahead of the broadcast of an exclusive programme on Friday. The salary adjustment nearly doubles the previous minimum pay, reflecting government efforts to enhance troops' remuneration amid ongoing security challenges.

Despite the salary increase, Musa acknowledged that the military remains underfunded. When asked whether the current defence budget is adequate, he stated bluntly, "It's not enough." The minister emphasized that the Federal Government has significantly improved the welfare of rank-and-file soldiers, attributing the salary rise to sustained government effort: "When they started, a soldier was collecting N49,000 monthly. We tried so hard; now he's collecting N100,000."

Musa also addressed allegations of poor feeding conditions within the military, rejecting claims circulating on social media and dismissing a high-profile case involving social media influencer Justice Mark Chidiebere, known as Justice Crack. According to the minister, Justice Crack deliberately staged videos to misrepresent soldiers' meals by asking them to remove portions of food before recording. "The soldiers' food was okay. There was meat and other things, but he told them to pull them out and make it look like those things were not there," Musa alleged.

Justice Crack was arrested in March alongside some soldiers after publishing videos that highlighted alleged poor feeding and welfare conditions within the Nigerian Army. The military's investigation concluded that the influencer had engaged soldiers in discussions aimed at inciting discontent and subversion, contrary to armed forces social media policy. While the soldiers remained in military custody, Justice Crack was handed over to civil authorities for further investigation. In May, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety, and his trial continues.

During the same interview, Musa also advocated for stricter punishments against criminals, calling for the introduction of the death penalty for convicted kidnappers. He commented on recent abductions in Oyo State, alleging that kidnappers were seeking leverage by targeting schoolchildren to pressure the military into releasing detained commanders. Musa noted that abductors had threatened to kill the children if security forces intensified rescue operations, highlighting the complex security environment Nigeria's armed forces face while addressing insurgency, banditry, separatist violence, and kidnapping-for-ransom across multiple regions.