FG Approves New Pensionable Salary Structure for Military Personnel

The federal government has approved a new pensionable salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, covering the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force.

The new structure, which took effect from September 1, 2026, provides revised pensionable salary figures across the various ranks in the three services.

The approval was conveyed in a circular issued on September 3, 2026, by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

Under the new arrangement, Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals occupy the highest category, with annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦21.9 million to ₦29.75 million, depending on their salary steps. The highest figure translates to approximately ₦2.48 million monthly when divided by 12.

Lieutenant Generals, Vice Admirals and Air Marshals will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦16.99 million to ₦25.91 million, while Major Generals, Rear Admirals and Air Vice Marshals will receive between ₦14.98 million and ₦23.9 million annually.

For Brigadier Generals, Commodores and Air Commodores, the approved pensionable salaries range from ₦13.86 million to ₦16.39 million per annum.

Colonels, Captains and Group Captains will have pensionable salaries between ₦8.31 million and ₦9.49 million annually, while Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders and Wing Commanders will fall within the range of ₦7.55 million to ₦8.74 million.

Majors, Lieutenant Commanders and Squadron Leaders will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦5.99 million to ₦7.01 million, while Captains, Lieutenants and Flight Lieutenants will receive between ₦5.28 million and ₦6.42 million.

At the junior commissioned officer level, Second Lieutenants, Midshipmen and Pilot Officers will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦4.92 million to ₦5.59 million.

The revised structure also covers non-commissioned personnel across the three services.

Warrant Officers will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦4.53 million to ₦5.17 million, while Master Warrant Officers will receive between ₦3.94 million and ₦4.93 million.

Other ranks covered include Staff Sergeants, Petty Officers and Flight Sergeants, whose annual pensionable figures range from ₦2.98 million to ₦3.76 million.

Sergeants and Leading Seamen will have pensionable salaries between ₦2.81 million and ₦3.16 million annually, while Corporals and Able Seamen will receive between ₦2.48 million and ₦2.73 million.

Lance Corporals and Seamen will have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦2.32 million to ₦2.58 million, while Privates, Ordinary Seamen and Aircraftmen will have figures between ₦2.28 million and ₦2.49 million.

The Federal Government, however, clarified that the figures contained in the approved schedule are pensionable salaries for the purpose of calculating retirement benefits.

It stressed that the amounts should not be interpreted as the actual monthly salaries, allowances or take-home pay of serving military personnel.