Tinubu Approves New Military Pay Structure as Generals’ Pensionable Salary Hits N29.7m

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a revised pensionable salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, with the annual pensionable pay of Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals rising to as much as N29.75 million.

The new structure, which covers personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, takes effect from September 1, 2026, according to a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

The circular, dated September 3, 2026, is titled “Review of Gross Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure for Pension Purposes.”

It was signed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Major General Junaidu S. Bindawa (retd.), following approval by President Tinubu in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Under the revised structure, Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from N21.90 million to N29.75 million, depending on salary step.

The highest figure of N29,745,561 translates to approximately N2.48 million monthly for pension purposes.

Lieutenant Generals, Vice Admirals and Air Marshals will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from N16.99 million to N25.91 million, while Major Generals, Rear Admirals and Air Vice Marshals will receive between N14.98 million and N23.90 million annually for pension purposes.

For Brigadier Generals, Commodores and Air Commodores, the annual pensionable salary ranges from N13.86 million to N16.39 million.

Colonels, Captains and Group Captains are placed within an annual pensionable salary range of N8.31 million to N9.49 million, while Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders and Wing Commanders will receive between N7.55 million and N8.74 million.

Majors, Lieutenant Commanders and Squadron Leaders will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from N5.99 million to N7.01 million.

At the junior commissioned officer level, Captains, Lieutenants and Flight Lieutenants will earn between N5.28 million and N6.42 million annually for pension purposes.

Second Lieutenants, Midshipmen and Pilot Officers will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from N4.92 million to N5.59 million.

Warrant Officers across the three services will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from N4.53 million to N5.17 million.

The commission said the review was undertaken in line with the provisions of Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and followed an earlier revision of the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS) communicated on August 28, 2026.

The latest approval effectively updates the salary figures to be used in determining pension benefits for serving and retiring personnel of the Armed Forces.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to review remuneration and welfare arrangements for security personnel, against the backdrop of the demanding responsibilities faced by the military in tackling insecurity across the country.