Nigerian Soldiers Deserve ₦250,000 Monthly, Says Retired General
Nigeria's military heroes are being shortchanged, and a top retired general is calling for a major pay bump. Major General John Enenche (retired), former Director of Defence Information, has dropped a bold recommendation: every Nigerian soldier from the base should earn at least ₦250,000 a month. This isn't just a number — it's a demand for respect, reflecting the real cost of living and the sacrifices these men and women make every day.
Why ₦250,000? The General Breaks It Down
Speaking on ARISE TV, Enenche didn't hold back. He argued that the current salary of ₦100,000 — recently raised from ₦49,000 by the government — is still far from enough. 'For me, a Nigerian soldier from the base shouldn't be paid anything less than ₦250,000 per month,' he said, adding that this figure is a modest baseline when you consider basic expenses like feeding and transport.
'Look at how much they spend on feeding alone. That's just a baseline for me,' Enenche explained. He pointed out that in Abuja, transport fares average ₦1,000 to ₦2,000 per trip. A soldier's wife or the soldier himself needs to move around, and those costs add up fast.
Soldiers Are Not Mercenaries: The Sacrifice Factor
Enenche made it clear that military service is not a 9-to-5 job. 'A soldier is somebody that has sacrificed all. You have bought his time. A soldier is not a mercenary. So how can he go and buy his gun? It's only a mercenary that will go and buy his gun and come and fight for you,' he said.
He emphasized that soldiers are on duty 24/7, even after retirement. 'No soldier is ever off-duty, even as I'm retired now. Chief of Defence Staff calls me now, and I would do it, even in retirement.' Unlike other public servants, soldiers can't run side businesses or farm on the side. 'A soldier does not go to farm... where is the time to go to farm?' he asked.
A Call for Fair Pay Across the Ranks
Enenche's recommendation isn't just for foot soldiers. He wants the pay hike to apply across the entire military hierarchy — soldiers, airmen, and ratings — in line with the existing remuneration structure. 'I suggest and recommend, if possible, within available resources and considering other competing demands from other sectors of the economy,' he said.
This comes weeks after Defence Minister Christopher Musa announced a salary increase from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000. But even the minister admitted the military remains underfunded. Enenche's proposal of ₦250,000 would more than double that, and he believes it's doable. 'I believe it should be doable,' he said.
What This Means for Nigeria's Security
At a time when Nigeria faces security challenges from Boko Haram to banditry, paying soldiers well isn't just about fairness — it's about effectiveness. A well-compensated soldier is a motivated soldier. Enenche's call is a wake-up call for the government to prioritize those who put their lives on the line for the nation.
As the debate heats up, one thing is clear: Nigeria's soldiers deserve more than peanuts. They deserve a salary that matches their sacrifice. And ₦250,000 a month? That's just the starting point.