Enenche Calls For N250,000 Minimum Monthly Salary For Nigerian Soldiers
Major General John Enenche (retd.), a former Director of Defence Information, has urged the Federal Government to significantly improve the welfare and remuneration of Nigerian soldiers, insisting that the country’s military personnel deserve better financial support in recognition of the sacrifices they make in protecting the nation.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Saturday, the retired senior military officer argued that no Nigerian soldier should earn less than ₦250,000 per month, describing the figure as a reasonable minimum in light of the country’s current economic realities and the increasing cost of living.
Enenche explained that soldiers perform duties that go beyond those of regular public servants, emphasizing that members of the armed forces remain committed to national service at all times, regardless of whether they are actively deployed or have retired from service.
According to him, the demanding nature of military work requires personnel to be available around the clock, making them different from workers who operate within fixed working hours. He noted that soldiers face unique risks, endure long periods away from their families, and often work under life-threatening conditions while safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and internal security.
Read Also: Osuntokun Claims Obasanjo Is Fully Behind Obi-Kwankwaso Ticket
“For me, a Nigerian soldier from the base shouldn’t be paid anything less than ₦250,000 per month,” Enenche said during the interview.
He maintained that the proposed salary would only serve as a modest benchmark rather than an excessive demand, considering the sharp rise in inflation and the increasing cost of essential goods and services across Nigeria.
The retired general further stressed that military service is a lifelong commitment. He explained that even after retirement, soldiers remain bound by a sense of duty and can still be called upon to serve the nation whenever their expertise is needed.
“No soldier is ever off-duty, even as I’m retired now,” Enenche stated.
Illustrating his point, he said that if a senior military officer were to contact him with an assignment, he would respond without hesitation despite no longer being in active service.
“Even now, if a senior officer calls me and says, ‘General Enenche, sir, we want you to…,’ I would do it, even in retirement,” he added.
Enenche’s remarks come amid ongoing conversations about improving the welfare, salaries, allowances, and working conditions of members of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Security analysts and stakeholders have repeatedly argued that better welfare packages would not only boost the morale of military personnel but also enhance operational effectiveness in the fight against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other security threats confronting the country.
