Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume praises Tinubu for increasing military pay, urges personnel to justify raise

Former Senate Leader and senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing a salary increase for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Ndume described the move as the fulfilment of a campaign promise by Tinubu. In a statement issued at the weekend, he said the president had kept faith by delivering the pay rise for military personnel.

Praise for the pay rise and a call to duty

Multiple reports say Ndume welcomed the salary adjustment as a fulfillment of Tinubu’s pledge to improve conditions for the Armed Forces. According to one account, Ndume explicitly said the president “kept his promise” by ensuring the pay rise was implemented.

In a comment reported by the Nigerian Tribune, Ndume also urged members of the Armed Forces to justify the new salary increment. That outlet quoted him calling on personnel to match the improved remuneration with dedication and performance. This instruction—to justify the raise—was reported by the Tribune; the other reports focused on his commendation of the president.

Why it matters

The pay increase touches on two connected issues: government commitments to improve welfare for security personnel, and expectations about how public servants should respond to enhanced compensation. Ndume’s remarks frame the development both as a political promise kept by the president and as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with better pay.

Ndume’s position as a former Senate Leader and current senator for Borno South situates his remarks within the national political conversation about security-sector reform and welfare. His public endorsement provides political cover for the administration’s action and signals to service members and the public that some lawmakers view the pay rise as a positive step.

Further context

The reports reviewed for this article do not provide details on the size of the pay increase, when it takes effect, or how it will be funded. They also do not include comments from Armed Forces representatives, defence ministry officials, or independent analysts. Nor do they quote President Tinubu directly on the change.

Ndume’s comments were reported this weekend and were carried by multiple national outlets, which consistently described his response as commendatory. The call for personnel to justify the raise was identified in the Nigerian Tribune’s coverage.

Without additional reporting on implementation details, oversight measures, or reactions from service members, the public account of the salary increase remains focused on the political endorsement and the expectation of reciprocal performance from the Armed Forces.