The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has assured officers and personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria that concrete steps are being taken to improve their salaries and overall welfare.
Oluyede gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja during the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) Social Night for soldiers, ratings, airmen and airwomen.
He said the initiative was being pursued in collaboration with the Service Chiefs and with the approval of President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“If I tell you we are working on something, please be hopeful. Something positive will come up,” the CDS said, pledging that 2026 would be a better year for personnel of the armed forces.
Beyond salary enhancement, Oluyede disclosed that arrangements were being finalised to improve post-service welfare, particularly through access to soft loans for spouses and affordable housing schemes for serving and retired personnel.
According to him, discussions are ongoing with financial institutions to provide low-interest loans to spouses of service members to enable them establish sustainable businesses, while housing loan options are being expanded to ensure personnel retire with dignity.
The defence chief commended soldiers, ratings, airmen and airwomen for their resilience and professionalism in safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty across all theatres of operation, noting that their sacrifices had continued to yield significant operational successes nationwide.
He also paid tribute to fallen heroes and acknowledged the vital role of military families, describing their prayers and sacrifices as a silent but powerful force behind every successful mission.
Oluyede expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his unwavering support for the Armed Forces, as well as to the Service Chiefs for their leadership and commitment to improving the welfare and morale of personnel.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Administration (CDA), Rear Adm. Gideon Kachim, described the Social Night as a deliberate gathering designed to give personnel an opportunity to unwind, reflect and celebrate.
Kachim said the occasion also provided a solemn moment to honour and remember fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in defence of the nation, stressing that their sacrifices remained a timeless source of inspiration to serving personnel.
The Social Night was part of activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of awards to deserving personnel for outstanding performance and dedication to duty, as well as musical performances by legendary artistes Tuface Idibia, Zule Zoo and Magnito
