President of the Nigeria Society for Criminology (NSC), Professor Oludayo Tade, has praised President Bola Tinubu for approving an upward review of the salaries of personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, describing the decision as a significant morale booster in the country’s fight against insecurity.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Tade said the salary increase was a well-deserved recognition of the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces, many of whom have paid the ultimate price while protecting Nigeria and its citizens.
He noted that although the review came later than expected, it was a welcome development that would strengthen the resolve of military personnel in confronting security challenges across the country.
Under the new salary structure, which takes effect from September 1, officers above the rank of colonel – including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant-generals and generals – will receive a 30 per cent salary increase.
Personnel from the rank of colonel down to warrant officer will enjoy a 50 per cent increase, while soldiers from the rank of private to staff sergeant will benefit from an 80 per cent salary adjustment.
While applauding the development, the criminologist urged President Tinubu to extend similar salary reviews to other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and paramilitary organisations.
According to him, Nigeria’s current security challenges – including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and mass abductions – require a coordinated response from multiple security agencies, making it essential for all personnel within the country’s security architecture to receive equitable welfare packages.
“The security architecture is a system. You cannot encourage a unit of the system and expect others to be happy,” Tade said.
He appealed to the President to approve salary increases for the police and other paramilitary agencies to promote cooperation and collaboration rather than fuel rivalry among security institutions.
“Incentives should be inclusive and make everyone in the system feel important,” he added.
Tade stressed that recent gains in the fight against insecurity had been achieved through joint operations involving multiple security agencies, warning that unequal treatment could undermine teamwork.
“For us to encourage seamless inter-agency collaboration and not deepen inter-agency rivalry, it is important that the president upwardly reviews the salaries of other security agencies that make up Nigeria’s security architecture,” he said.
The NSC president also called for broader improvements in the welfare of security personnel beyond salary increases.
He urged the government to invest more in training, modern equipment and the welfare of officers, especially the families of personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“We need to encourage our security agencies not only through salaries but also through training, equipment procurement and other welfare packages. Many of the children of fallen heroes are suffering, and their families need urgent attention,” he said.
He further urged the federal government to institute special recognition and reward schemes for outstanding security personnel, saying such incentives would motivate officers and strengthen their commitment to national security.
