Retired Major General John Enenche, a former Director of Defence Information, has called for a significant improvement in the welfare of Nigerian military personnel, recommending that the Federal Government increase the minimum monthly salary of rank-and-file soldiers to ₦250,000.
Enenche, who also serves as a military strategist, made the recommendation during an interview on ARISE Television, where he argued that the current economic realities and the demanding nature of military service require a substantial review of soldiers’ remuneration.
According to the retired general, the proposed salary represents what he considers a modest and realistic minimum capable of helping soldiers meet basic living expenses amid rising inflation and the increasing cost of living across the country.
“₦250,000 Should Be the Minimum”
Speaking during the interview, Enenche maintained that no Nigerian soldier should earn less than ₦250,000 per month.
He explained that the figure was arrived at after considering the everyday financial pressures faced by military personnel, particularly the rising cost of feeding, transportation and other household expenses.
According to him, food prices alone have increased significantly in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for lower-ranking personnel to comfortably provide for themselves and their families on their current earnings.
He described the proposed salary as only a baseline and insisted it should not be viewed as excessive but rather as a practical response to prevailing economic conditions.
Military Service Demands Unique Sacrifices
Responding to arguments that soldiers already receive government accommodation, uniforms, weapons and other operational equipment, Enenche said such benefits should not be used as justification for keeping salaries low.
He stressed that members of the Armed Forces dedicate their entire lives to national service in ways that distinguish them from many other public servants.
According to him, soldiers cannot be compared with mercenaries because they do not provide their own weapons or negotiate contracts based on personal interests. Instead, they are trained and deployed by the state to defend the nation’s sovereignty, often at great personal risk.
He noted that military personnel willingly place themselves in dangerous situations, including counter-terrorism operations, peacekeeping missions and internal security duties, where they constantly face threats to their lives.
Soldiers Are Never Truly Off Duty
Enenche also highlighted what he described as the unique nature of military service, saying a soldier remains committed to duty at all times, even after retirement.
He explained that retired senior officers can still be called upon by the military leadership whenever their experience or expertise is required for national assignments.
Using himself as an example, he said he would immediately respond if contacted by the Chief of Defence Staff to render professional assistance despite having left active service.
According to him, this lifelong commitment demonstrates why military personnel deserve improved welfare and better financial support throughout their careers.
Limited Opportunities to Earn Additional Income
The retired general further argued that soldiers have little or no opportunity to engage in other income-generating activities because of the demands of their profession.
Unlike many workers in the public and private sectors, he said military personnel cannot freely operate businesses, run farms or take on side jobs due to the strict discipline, deployments and unpredictable nature of their assignments.
He explained that soldiers are often required to relocate at short notice, remain on operational duty for extended periods or respond immediately to emergencies, leaving virtually no time to pursue additional sources of income.
According to Enenche, these limitations make competitive salaries even more important for members of the Armed Forces.
Transportation and Household Costs Continue to Rise
The retired military officer also pointed to increasing transportation costs as another reason why soldiers’ salaries should be reviewed upward.
He observed that transport fares in major cities, including Abuja, have risen sharply, making routine movement increasingly expensive for both soldiers and their family members.
He argued that when expenses such as transportation, food, children’s education, healthcare and other household responsibilities are considered together, ₦250,000 remains a modest proposal rather than an excessive demand.
Enenche urged policymakers to evaluate the recommendation against the realities faced by serving personnel instead of focusing solely on government expenditure.
Salary Review Should Cover All Service Branches
Beyond the rank-and-file soldiers, Enenche said any salary adjustment should follow the existing remuneration structure across the Armed Forces to ensure fairness among personnel.
He noted that improved welfare should extend to members of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy, with salaries adjusted according to rank and established service conditions.
According to him, enhancing welfare across all branches would improve morale, strengthen discipline and encourage greater commitment among personnel responsible for protecting the country.
Government Urged to Balance Competing Priorities
While acknowledging that government faces financial pressures from several sectors of the economy, Enenche expressed confidence that improving military welfare remains achievable if given adequate priority.
He urged the Federal Government to carefully weigh the country’s security needs alongside competing demands and make the welfare of military personnel a national priority.
According to him, a well-motivated and adequately compensated military is essential to maintaining national security, combating terrorism, addressing insurgency and responding effectively to other internal and external threats.
Recommendation Follows Recent Salary Increase
Enenche’s proposal comes only weeks after the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, announced that the Federal Government had increased the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000 as part of ongoing efforts to improve welfare within the Armed Forces.
Although the salary review was welcomed by many personnel, the Defence Minister acknowledged that the military continues to face funding challenges, stressing that additional investment is needed to strengthen operational capacity, improve welfare packages and provide modern equipment.
The retired general believes that increasing the minimum salary to ₦250,000 would further boost morale, improve the standard of living of military personnel and reflect the enormous sacrifices soldiers make in protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national security.
