Tinubu Meets Security Chiefs Amid Troops’ Salary Backlash: “This Money Can’t Buy Rice”
By: Abudu Olalekan
President Bola Tinubu sat down with the entire military command Thursday night. The meeting came right as anger boiled over about what soldiers are actually taking home each month.
N100,000.
That’s the figure Defence Minister Christopher Musa gave during his News Central interview Wednesday. He meant it as good news, after all, he pointed out troops used to get just N49,000. But try telling that to the guys wearing the boots.
“It’s not enough at all,” said Abdul Isiak, a retired soldier who spoke to Reportersroom. “What is N100,000 with the current situation of the country? It can’t get to anywhere.”
He ain’t alone in thinking that.
Zaki Williams, another veteran who served as a sergeant, didn’t mince words. He flat out doubts the government is even paying that much. “I doubt if they are paying up to that amount now, it is a lie,” he said. Then he went further. Any administration handing soldiers that kind of money in this economy? “Not a serious one.”
Here’s the thing. These guys aren’t just complaining about numbers off of a spreadsheet. They’re talking about survival. Abiodun Herbert-Durowaye, who coordinates the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, broke it down simple. “How can that be ok? How can that be sufficient for someone who’s putting his life on the line for the country?”
He paused. “My brother, how much is a bag of rice today?”
The frustration cuts deep because this isn’t new money. Not really. Tinubu stood before these same troops back on March 7th during Iftar. He promised them better days were coming, he said their welfare would take “first priority.” Four months later, the bank accounts tell a different story.
“We have been crying but no help,” Williams added. “The government has tried, but they can do better.”
Meanwhile, Thursday’s meeting at the Presidential Villa dragged on for over two hours. Behind closed doors. Musa was there. So was National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, and the new Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa, who Tinubu appointed back in May. Basically everyone who carries weight in the security sector showed up.
The timing wasn’t random.
Just two days earlier, troops from Operation FANSAN YAMMA had intercepted some 300 terrorists on motorcycles in Zamfara. Air strikes took them out. They also got Alhaji Tukur, a notorious bandit commander and brother to wanted kingpin Shehu Bagiwaye, over in Dogon Kade. And up in the North-East, ISWAP has been hitting military bases hard—13 attacks this year alone, mostly in Borno. The enemy isn’t letting up.
But back to that salary. Anonymous active-duty personnel who talked to us say the situation is getting desperate. Some are going AWOL. Recruitment is drying up because who wants to risk their life for pennies?
“Things are quite expensive, which has made our current salaries not enough,” one soldier said. He asked us not to use his name—nobody authorized him to speak. “I personally need the increment as I speak. I have children and dependents to cater for.”
Musa, for his part, admitted the defence budget “is not enough” during his interview. He said the military remains underfunded despite the salary bump. Then he pivoted hard to kidnappers. Said Nigeria needs the death penalty for them. Called the recent Oyo school abduction “unfortunate” and claimed the bandits are grabbing kids to try and force the military to release their captured commanders.
“They are now threatening that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids,” he added.
About those viral videos showing soldiers eating poorly? Musa dismissed them. Claimed the officer in that footage, Justice Crack, staged the whole thing. Pulled the meat out just to make it look bad. “The soldier’s food was okay. There was meat; there was all this,” the minister insisted.
But the troops we spoke with aren’t buying the spin. They want the President to make good on his March promise. Turn those Iftar words into action. Remember what he said that night? “This nation will always be grateful to you and your sufferings will not be in vain.”
“During Iftar, the President raised our hopes and we were very happy,” one personnel said. “He should please make it a reality so that everybody will be happy.”
As of press time, Defence Headquarters wasn’t picking up calls. Major General Samaila Uba, the Director of Defence Information, hadn’t responded to messages either.
The meeting ended. The soldiers went back to their posts. And N100,000 still doesn’t buy much rice.
Olalekan A. Abudu is a seasoned and dedicated News Journalist at REPORTERS ROOM, with over eight years of experience. He specializes in politics, climate change, health, and education, while also covering security, economic, and judicial issues. Committed to accuracy and balanced reporting, Olalekan exemplifies the principles of public-interest journalism.
