Retired Group Captain Sadeeq Shehu, former spokesperson of the *Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has described the pay of Nigerian military personnel as inadequate, saying a monthly salary of N100,000 does not match the risks they face in service.
Shehu made the assertion on Monday during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show where he discussed troop welfare, morale, and operational effectiveness.
According to him, while salary and allowances are critical, they represent only one aspect of military motivation. He noted that many countries carry out annual salary reviews for service members to reflect inflation and cost of living.
“Nigerian soldiers are underpaid. N100,000 is not enough. When you talk about motivation for military personnel, the first thing that comes to people’s mind is salary and allowances. But that is only one aspect,” he said.
“Yes, a soldier needs to be paid the appropriate amount based on the risk that he’s taking for his life.”
Shehu argued that troop morale also depends on proper welfare packages, adequate equipment, regular rotation from combat zones, and guaranteed medical care.
He faulted the practice of keeping soldiers on the frontline for several years without relief, stating that standard practice in advanced militaries limits combat deployment to 10 to 12 months.
“In advanced military business, there is no way you can put a soldier in the front line for more than 10 or 12 months. He must come back and rest. I have met a soldier who served for four years unbroken. It is not done,” he said.
The retired officer explained that knowing a soldier will return to family after a tour, and will receive free medical evacuation and treatment if wounded, serves as motivation.
“I also know that if I am wounded in battle, there is a helicopter for medical evacuation that can carry me to the best medical facility available, and I will be treated without me paying a dime. It’s motivation,”he added.
He further stressed that personnel should not have to buy their own protective gear or uniforms.
“There is also the need to know that if I need a fragmented jacket to protect me, I do not have to buy it..I don’t have to use my salary to buy any piece of equipment, anything or uniform that I’m going to use for the work. That is motivation.”
Shehu concluded that providing protective gear, free medical evacuation, quality healthcare, and all operational equipment at no cost to troops would significantly boost morale and strengthen national security operations.
He urged authorities to address troop welfare comprehensively, noting that “our soldiers are doing great work” and deserve commensurate support.
