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📋 Salary Scale · Military Pay

Military Pay Salary Scale Nigeria 2026 — Full Grade Table

Nigerian Military Pay Structure covers Officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Salaries range from ₦70,000/month (Private / Ordinary Seaman / Aircraftman, Step 1) to ₦1,362,651/month (General / Admiral / Air Marshal (Full)).
📅 Updated: August 10, 2026 📋 16 grade levels 💰 10 allowances

What is the Military Pay Salary Scale?

The Nigerian military pay structure covers all ranks from Private/Ordinary Seaman/Aircraftman through to General/Admiral/Air Marshal. Military pay is managed by the Defence Headquarters and includes basic pay plus operational allowances, specialist allowances, and hazard pay. Officers commissioned through the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) enter at Second Lieutenant. Figures reflect post-2024 adjustment.

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All salary figures are annual basic salary at each step. Monthly basic = annual ÷ 12. Total take-home is higher after housing, transport, and other allowances. Figures are approximate and subject to NSIWC review.

Military Pay Full Grade Table (August 10, 2026)

Grade Step 1 (Annual) Step 1 (Monthly) Step 3 (Annual) Step 6 (Annual) Step 6 (Monthly) Typical Entry
Private / Ordinary Seaman / Aircraftman
Minimum wage floor. 3-month basic training at depot.
 ₦840,000 ₦70,000 per month ₦908,544 ₦1,022,788 ₦85,232 SSCE + military training
Lance Corporal / Able Bodied / LAC
First promotion in enlisted ranks.
 ₦924,000 ₦77,000 per month ₦999,440 ₦1,124,235 ₦93,686 1yr service
Corporal / Able Seaman / Senior AC
 ₦1,008,000 ₦84,000 per month ₦1,090,253 ₦1,226,386 ₦102,199 2–3yrs service
Sergeant / Petty Officer
NCO rank, section commander.
 ₦1,176,000 ₦98,000 per month ₦1,271,962 ₦1,430,784 ₦119,232 4–6yrs service
Staff Sergeant / Chief Petty Officer
Senior NCO.
 ₦1,380,000 ₦115,000 per month ₦1,492,608 ₦1,678,981 ₦139,915 7–10yrs service
Warrant Officer
Highest non-commissioned rank.
 ₦1,680,000 ₦140,000 per month ₦1,817,088 ₦2,043,977 ₦170,331 12+ yrs service
Second Lieutenant / Midshipman / Pilot Officer
Entry commissioned officer. ~₦168,000/mo.
 ₦2,016,000 ₦168,000 per month ₦2,180,506 ₦2,452,772 ₦204,398 Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)
Lieutenant / Sub-Lieutenant / Flying Officer
~₦196,000/mo.
 ₦2,352,000 ₦196,000 per month ₦2,543,923 ₦2,861,568 ₦238,464 NDA + 2yrs
Captain / Lieutenant (N) / Flight Lieutenant
Company/ship commander. ~₦245,000/mo.
 ₦2,940,000 ₦245,000 per month ₦3,179,904 ₦3,576,960 ₦298,080 NDA + 5yrs
Major / Lt Commander / Squadron Leader
Field officer rank. ~₦294,000/mo.
 ₦3,528,000 ₦294,000 per month ₦3,815,885 ₦4,292,352 ₦357,696 NDA + 8yrs
Lt Colonel / Commander / Wing Commander
Battalion/ship commander. ~₦364,000/mo.
 ₦4,368,000 ₦364,000 per month ₦4,724,429 ₦5,314,340 ₦442,862 NDA + 12yrs
Colonel / Captain (N) / Group Captain
Senior field officer. ~₦462,000/mo.
 ₦5,544,000 ₦462,000 per month ₦5,996,390 ₦6,745,124 ₦562,094 NDA + 16yrs
Brigadier General / Commodore / Air Commodore
General officer, brigade commander. ~₦588,000/mo.
 ₦7,056,000 ₦588,000 per month ₦7,631,770 ₦8,584,704 ₦715,392 NDA + 20yrs
Major General / Rear Admiral / AVM
Division commander. ~₦700,000/mo.
 ₦8,400,000 ₦700,000 per month ₦9,085,440 ₦10,219,724 ₦851,644 Senior appointment
Lieutenant General / Vice Admiral / Air Marshal
Theatre commander. ~₦910,000/mo.
 ₦10,920,000 ₦910,000 per month ₦11,810,912 ₦13,285,669 ₦1,107,139 Very senior
General / Admiral / Air Marshal (Full)
Highest military rank. ~₦1,120,000/mo.
 ₦13,440,000 ₦1,120,000 per month ₦14,536,704 ₦16,351,815 ₦1,362,651 Service Chiefs

* Steps 2–5 are incremental. Progression through steps is annual. Figures are basic salary only — allowances are additional. Last updated: August 10, 2026.

Military Pay Allowances

In addition to basic salary, Military Pay workers receive the following allowances. These significantly increase total take-home pay above the basic figures in the table above.

Housing Allowance
25% of annual basic salary
Standard federal housing allowance. Senior officers (Colonel+) typically receive official quarters on base.
Transport Allowance
15% of annual basic salary
General officers (Brigadier General+) receive official vehicles and drivers.
Utility Allowance
10% of annual basic salary
Covers electricity, water and telecoms. Officers on base may receive in-kind.
Leave Allowance
10% of annual basic salary
Paid annually during official leave period.
Hazard/Operational Allowance
₦30,000/month (fixed)
Paid to troops deployed on active operations. Ranges ₦15,000–₦60,000 depending on theatre.
Ration Allowance
₦15,000/month (fixed)
Food/subsistence allowance. Troops in barracks may receive meals in kind.
Uniform/Kit Allowance
₦12,000/month (fixed)
Covers service uniform, boots and personal kit.
Medical Cover
₦0/month (fixed)
Full medical cover for military personnel and dependants via Military Hospital network nationwide.
Pension (after 35yrs)
₦0/month (fixed)
70–100% of terminal salary after 35 years service under Armed Forces Pension Act.
UN/ECOWAS Peacekeeping
₦0/month (fixed)
Troops on UN/AU/ECOWAS missions receive UN daily subsistence allowance ~$70–$100/day in addition to Nigerian pay.

Frequently Asked Questions — Military Pay Salary Scale

What is the Military Pay salary scale in Nigeria?

Nigerian Military Pay Structure (Military Pay) covers Officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The entry-level grade (Private / Ordinary Seaman / Aircraftman) earns ₦840,000 per year (approximately ₦70,000 per month) at Step 1. The highest grade (General / Admiral / Air Marshal (Full)) earns ₦13,440,000 per year at Step 1.

How much does a Military Pay worker earn per month?

Monthly salaries under Military Pay range from approximately ₦70,000 at entry level to ₦1,362,651 at the top grade. These are basic salary figures — total take-home is higher when housing, transport, and other allowances are added.

How does Military Pay compare to the minimum wage?

Nigeria's minimum wage is ₦70,000/month (₦840,000/year) as of 2024. The Military Pay entry grade (Private / Ordinary Seaman / Aircraftman) annual basic of ₦840,000 translates to approximately ₦70,000 per month basic, with total compensation higher after allowances.

What allowances do Military Pay workers receive?

Housing Allowance: 25.00% of annual basic salary. Transport Allowance: 15.00% of annual basic salary. Utility Allowance: 10.00% of annual basic salary. Leave Allowance: 10.00% of annual basic salary. Hazard/Operational Allowance: ₦30,000 fixed monthly. Ration Allowance: ₦15,000 fixed monthly. Uniform/Kit Allowance: ₦12,000 fixed monthly. Medical Cover: ₦0 fixed monthly. Pension (after 35yrs): ₦0 fixed monthly. UN/ECOWAS Peacekeeping: ₦0 fixed monthly. These allowances are added to the basic salary to determine total take-home pay.

Salary figures are based on the current Consolidated Salary Structure as reviewed by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). Figures are approximate — actual pay depends on specific appointment, posting, and current government circulars. Last reviewed: August 10, 2026.