Military personnel have confirmed that the recently approved salary increases are now reflected in their September payments, while public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have commenced a three-day warning strike over worsening economic conditions.
The Defence Headquarters confirmed that personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have begun receiving their September salaries with the new salary adjustments included.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Samaila Uba, confirmed the development in Abuja, describing the adjustment as part of efforts to improve the welfare and conditions of service of military personnel.
Some soldiers also confirmed that the new salaries began reflecting in their bank accounts on Wednesday evening.
Under the approved salary structure, personnel from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant are receiving an 80 per cent increase.
According to the soldiers, a Private who previously earned about N103,000 now receives approximately N190,000, while a Lance Corporal whose previous salary was around N110,000 now receives approximately N202,000.
The development follows an earlier announcement by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who disclosed that military personnel had started receiving the revised salaries.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved salary increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent for personnel of the Armed Forces, with the new rates taking effect from September 1, 2026.
Under the approved structure, personnel from Warrant Officer to Colonel are to receive a 50 per cent increase, while officers above the rank of Colonel are to receive a 30 per cent increase.
About 250,000 military personnel are expected to benefit from the new salary structure.
The Presidency had said the adjustment would increase the annual salary bill for the Armed Forces from N660 billion to N924 billion.
PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS BEGIN THREE-DAY WARNING STRIKE
While the military salary increase is being implemented, public service workers under the JNPSNC have commenced a three-day warning strike scheduled to run from October 2 to October 4, 2026.
The council directed its national and state leaders to mobilise workers for the industrial action, which began at midnight on Friday.
The directive was contained in a circular dated October 1 and signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.
According to the council, the decision followed the Federal Government’s alleged failure to respond to requests submitted to President Tinubu in a letter dated September 21.
The council directed union officials across federal, state and local government services to ensure compliance with the strike, citing worsening economic conditions and the difficulties faced by workers and their dependants.
The JNPSNC comprises several public sector unions, including the Nigerian Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
Other affiliated unions include the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees; Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers; National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers; and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees.
LABOUR DEMANDS RELIEF FROM RISING COST OF LIVING
The JNPSNC had earlier threatened the warning strike over demands that included a reduction in petrol prices to N500 per litre, a wage award and other measures to ease economic pressures on workers.
The council expressed disappointment that President Tinubu’s Independence Day address did not include an announcement on reducing the pump price of petrol or immediate measures to address the economic difficulties highlighted by the unions.
The council had called for the price of petrol to be reduced from the reported range of N1,400 to N2,000 per litre, depending on location.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has also expressed support for the industrial action.
In an Independence Day statement, NLC President Joe Ajaero said rising petrol prices, inflation, stagnant wages, unemployment and insecurity had increased the economic pressure on workers and other Nigerians.
The labour centre also said inflation had reduced the real value of workers’ earnings, while increasing transportation costs had contributed to higher prices for food, education, housing and other essential goods and services.
The developments have therefore placed two contrasting issues at the centre of the current labour debate: the implementation of increased salaries for military personnel and continued demands from public service workers for measures to address rising living costs and declining purchasing power.
