Tinubu’s troop pay hike divides opposition
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has approved a significant salary increase for military personnel, ranging from 30 to 80 percent, to improve welfare and security operations. The move has sparked debate among opposition parties, with some praising the investment in security while others question the political timing.
Why it matters
The pay hike reflects the government's attempt to address internal security challenges while highlighting the ongoing political friction between the ruling party and the opposition.
President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a new salary package for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces has drawn mixed reactions from opposition parties. While some commended the move as a long-overdue investment in national security, others questioned the President’s motives, describing the timing as politically convenient. The parties gave their reactions in separate exclusive interviews with The PUNCH in Abuja on Tuesday. While the Social Democratic Party and the New Nigeria People’s Party welcomed the pay increase as a necessary step towards improving troop welfare and strengthening the country’s security architecture, the Labour Party and the Obidient Movement expressed reservations, arguing that the decision should be viewed against the backdrop of the administration’s political record. The divergent reactions followed Tuesday’s announcement by the Presidency that Tinubu had approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for approximately 250,000 military personnel.
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