Concern has been raised and larger problems with the military’s pay system have been brought to light by the delay in paying wages and allowances to Nigerian Army members scheduled for August 2024. An official note informing soldiers to bear with the government while they try to fix the problem revealed the delay. In Nigeria, salary and bonus payments of the Army are not usually delayed. However, there have been occasions in the past, including in October 2022, when troops expressed dissatisfaction with stagnant earnings that have not increased in more than ten years.
Among Security Agencies in Nigeria and around the world, the Nigerian Army pays some of the lowest salaries. For example, an entry-level salary in the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is ₦96,000 for an NSCDC officer and ₦84,000 for a police constable, respectively. In contrast, a Private in the Nigerian Army makes approximately ₦50,000 per month. A Private in the U.S. Army makes approximately $1,800 a month, while a corresponding level in the British Army makes approximately £1,800 ($2,200). This salary gap is evident throughout the world.
Soldiers who receive delayed pay are more likely to experience low morale.
The Nigerian Army, noting the delay, sent out a note asking staff to be patient and informing them that they are working to find a quick solution to the payment problems. There was no timeframe given, though, and the Ministry of Defence has not yet issued an official statement outlining the reason for the hold-up. Previous justifications offered by military leaders for such delays included financial limitations and administrative snags, but they failed to win over the general populace.
Despite growing public and military pressure, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has said nothing about the matter. The effectiveness of operations and National Security are significantly impacted by the late payments. Soldiers who receive inadequate or delayed pay are more likely to experience low morale, which can impair their performance in crucial security operations. This is particularly true in areas like the Northeast where the military is fighting Boko Haram and other insurgent groups as part of counterterrorism operations.
Salary delays in the Nigerian Army are not a unique occurrence.
When their financial security is threatened, soldiers—who already face harsh working conditions—find it difficult to concentrate on their responsibilities, which may raise the possibility of absenteeism, corruption, or desertion. After 24 years of service and a monthly salary of ₦81,500, a sergeant bemoaned, saying, “We have not received a pay raise in over 12 or 13 years, and we are not receiving any benefits from our superior officers. Our pay is seldom on time, and we barely have enough money to cover our families’ expenses and school fees.”
Another soldier said, “I’m giving up on the system entirely. It’s discouraging to see the salary difference with other security firms, and it’s difficult to maintain motivation when you’re barely scraping by.” Salary delays in the Nigerian Army are not a unique occurrence, according to data. Similar delays were noted in 2022 and 2023, with systemic inefficiencies and postponed budget approvals being frequently cited as causes. Although the Nigerian Army maintains that these delays are an isolated incident, their frequent occurrence points to a trend of either poor financial management or problems with budgetary allocation within the defence budget.
Related Article: Govt Staff Lament Delayed January Salaries
A civil servant with comparable years of service can earn upwards of ₦150,000, approximately twice what a sergeant with two decades in the military receives. The persistent problems with pay highlight a more general need for reform in the military’s administrative and compensation systems. It is imperative to address these systemic issues in order to preserve the integrity and efficacy of Nigeria’s security apparatus in addition to the soldiers’ well-being. Without immediate action, the pattern of late payments and stagnant compensation could jeopardize the military’s ability to defend the country and jeopardize national stability as a whole.