Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the direct transfer of salaries to military personnel, following the President's approval of salary increases for about 250,000 members of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Ndume, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Army, made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, August 11.
Salary Increase Details
President Tinubu last week approved salary increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent for military personnel, with the new rates set to take effect next month. Under the adjustment, the annual wage bill for the Armed Forces will rise from N660 billion to N924 billion.
Officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant-generals, and generals, will receive a 30 per cent increase. Personnel from the rank of colonel down to warrant officer will receive a 50 per cent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant will get an 80 per cent increase.
Ndume Commends President's Commitment
Ndume said the salary review shows that the President has a clear plan to tackle insecurity. He noted that the move, coming shortly after the recent expansion of military divisions from eight to 12, demonstrates that President Tinubu has a blueprint for addressing terrorism and banditry.
He said: “The review of salary will go a long way in motivating our military personnel. I have been in the vanguard of better motivation for our men and officers in the military in terms of decent living wage. President Tinubu has once again proved that he is a responsive leader who doesn’t shut his mind to genuine and legitimate agitation of Nigerians.”
Need for Arms and Ammunition
However, the Borno South Senator noted that better pay alone would not be enough to win the war against insurgency. He urged the government to also ensure the prompt supply of arms, ammunition, and other essential logistics. Ndume said that beyond improved welfare packages and training, military personnel need timely access to weapons and ammunition to effectively combat insurgents.
“I have always argued that aside better welfare package and training, what they need to deal with insurgents is prompt supply of arms and ammunition. I also want to urge Mr. President to keep up his pledge on the provision of weapons and technological tools required to the Armed Forces to effectively discharge their duties.”
Call for First Line Charge on Defence Budget
The APC chieftain also called for the annual defence budget to be placed on First Line Charge to eliminate bureaucratic delays that could affect military operations. According to him, the current envelope budgeting system creates unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Finance.
He said: “All these can be achieved seamlessly if we put their annual budget on First Line Charge. This envelope budgeting is trapped in unnecessary bureaucracy between the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Finance. It is a big encumbrance to effective operations of our men and officers in the war theater. Mr. President should seize the initiative to ensure direct statutory transfer from the Federation Account for the military as it is done with few agencies of government.”
Ndume's remarks highlight the ongoing need for comprehensive support for the military, including both financial incentives and operational resources, to effectively address Nigeria's security challenges.
