Nigerian Army salaries in 2026 range from ₦70,000 per month for recruits to over ₦3 million monthly for senior generals. In addition to base salary, officers receive allowances such as hazard pay, housing, and operational bonuses.
Many Nigerians consider the military for its stability, structured career path, and long-term benefits. Whether you are planning to enlist, apply as a graduate, or simply researching how the Nigerian Armed Forces operate, knowing how the Nigerian Army salary structure works helps you make informed decisions.
This article provides a clear and updated breakdown of Nigerian Army salaries in 2026, including ranks, base pay, allowances, promotion process, entry routes, and retirement benefits. All figures are presented as salary ranges, based on available official data and widely reported military pay structures.
Note: The figures here represent basic salary only. Most personnel earn more each month through allowances tied to posting, rank, and operational duties.
Overview of the Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army is the largest branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It was established in 1960, following Nigeria’s independence, and has since grown into one of the strongest land forces in West Africa.
The Army is legally responsible for:
Defending Nigeria’s territorial borders
Supporting internal security operations
Participating in international peacekeeping missions
Assisting civil authorities during emergencies
Over the years, Nigerian Army personnel have served in peacekeeping missions across Africa and other regions, earning both national and international recognition.
Categories of Nigerian Army Ranks
The Nigerian Army uses a structured rank system divided into two main groups:
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
Commissioned Officers
Each group differs in responsibilities, authority level, educational requirements, and salary scale.
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs): Ranks and Salaries
Non-Commissioned Officers handle field duties, supervision of troops, discipline enforcement, and technical operations. Most applicants who join through the regular recruitment process start here.
NCO Salary Structure (2026)
| Rank | Monthly Salary Range | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Recruit / Trainee | ₦70,000 – ₦86,000 | ₦840,000 – ₦1,032,000 |
| Private Soldier | ₦78,000 – ₦89,000 | ₦936,000 – ₦1,068,000 |
| Lance Corporal | ₦89,000 – ₦98,000 | ₦1,068,000 – ₦1,176,000 |
| Corporal | ₦93,000 – ₦109,000 | ₦1,116,000 – ₦1,308,000 |
| Sergeant | ₦109,000 – ₦124,000 | ₦1,308,000 – ₦1,488,000 |
| Staff Sergeant | ₦124,000 – ₦140,000 | ₦1,488,000 – ₦1,680,000 |
| Warrant Officer | ₦148,000 – ₦171,000 | ₦1,776,000 – ₦2,052,000 |
| Master Warrant Officer | ₦187,000 – ₦249,000 | ₦2,244,000 – ₦2,988,000 |
| Army Warrant Officer | ₦249,000 – ₦280,000 | ₦2,988,000 – ₦3,360,000 |
Progression within the NCO cadre depends on years of service, performance reports, discipline, and completion of mandatory military courses.
Commissioned Officers: Ranks and Salaries
Commissioned officers are responsible for command, planning, and administration. Most enter the Army through the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) or special commissioning programmes.
Commissioned Officers Salary Structure (2026)
| Rank | Monthly Salary Range | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Second Lieutenant | ₦187,000 – ₦280,000 | ₦2,244,000 – ₦3,360,000 |
| Lieutenant | ₦289,000 – ₦327,000 | ₦3,468,000 – ₦3,924,000 |
| Captain | ₦311,000 – ₦373,000 | ₦3,732,000 – ₦4,476,000 |
| Major | ₦358,000 – ₦467,000 | ₦4,296,000 – ₦5,604,000 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | ₦467,000 – ₦560,000 | ₦5,604,000 – ₦6,720,000 |
| Colonel | ₦560,000 – ₦933,000 | ₦6,720,000 – ₦11,196,000 |
| Brigadier General | ₦1,011,000 – ₦1,244,000 | ₦12,132,000 – ₦14,928,000 |
| Major General | ₦1,244,000 – ₦1,867,000 | ₦14,928,000 – ₦22,404,000 |
| Lieutenant General | ₦1,867,000 – ₦2,645,000 | ₦22,404,000 – ₦31,740,000 |
| General | ₦2,333,000 – ₦3,111,000 | ₦27,996,000 – ₦37,332,000 |
| Field Marshal | Not applicable | Honorary rank (never attained in Nigeria) |
Recommended: Nigerian Army DSSC Recruitment Form 2026 – How to Apply for Course 29
Nigerian Army Allowances and Benefits
Monthly earnings in the Nigerian Army are not limited to basic salary. Allowances significantly raise take-home pay, especially for personnel in operational or high-risk areas.
Common Nigerian Army Allowances
Military Service Allowance
Hazard Allowance
Housing or Barracks Accommodation
Transport Allowance
Ration Allowance
Uniform Allowance
Operation Allowance
Hardship Allowance
Training Allowance
Special Forces Allowance
The amount paid depends on rank, unit, duty location, and current assignment.
Sample Monthly Earnings
For example, a Captain deployed to an operational zone may receive:
Average Base Salary: ₦340,000
Military Service Allowance
Hazard Allowance
Hardship Allowance
Housing Allowance
Transport Allowance
Ration Allowance
Operation Allowance
Estimated Monthly Total:
₦500,000 – ₦550,000
This explains why actual income often exceeds publicly quoted base figures.
Entry Routes into the Nigerian Army
Regular Recruit Intake (RRI)
Entry Rank: Private Soldier
Training Period: 6 months
Minimum Qualification: SSCE / NECO / GCE
Short Service Commission (SSC)
Entry Rank: Second Lieutenant
Training Period: 9 months
Service Duration: 15 years (renewable)
Target Group: Degree holders
Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC)
Entry Rank: Lieutenant
Training Period: 6 months
Target Group: Professionals such as doctors, engineers, nurses, and lawyers
Direct Regular Combatant Commission (DRCC)
For serving NCOs who later obtain university degrees
Allows movement into the commissioned officer category
Promotion Structure and Career Progression
Promotion in the Nigerian Army depends on several factors, including:
Years spent at current rank
Performance assessments
Completion of required military courses
Operational exposure
Conduct and discipline
Availability of positions
Promotion intervals generally range from 2 to 6 years, depending on rank and service record.
Retirement and Post-Service Benefits
Retirement Age
Enlisted Personnel: 35 years of service or age 60
Officers: Between ages 55 and 60, depending on rank
Retirement Benefits
Gratuity payment (₦3 million to ₦50 million+, depending on rank)
Monthly pension
Medical care at military hospitals
Resettlement and vocational training support
Senior officers may also be entitled to official vehicles, security details, and advanced medical treatment.
Nigerian Army vs Navy vs Air Force Salary (2026 Comparison)
When Nigerians research military salary structures, they often want to know how pay compares across branches of the Armed Forces. While pay systems are similar, there are differences in allowances, operational roles, and specialised duty benefits.
Below is a practical comparison of base salary ranges for the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force in 2026.
How Military Salaries Are Structured
All branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces follow a standard salary framework regulated by the Federal Government and approved military pay scales. The base salary for each rank is generally similar between services. Differences often arise in:
Operational allowances
Special unit or deployment pay
Sea duty allowances for the Navy
Aviation or flight pay for the Air Force
These extra allowances can widen total pay differences in some situations.
Base Salary Comparison by Rank (2026)
| Rank | Nigerian Army (Monthly Base) | Nigerian Navy (Monthly Base) | Nigerian Air Force (Monthly Base) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | ₦70,000 – ₦86,000 | ₦70,000 – ₦86,000 | ₦70,000 – ₦86,000 |
| Sergeant / Petty Officer | ₦109,000 – ₦124,000 | ₦109,000 – ₦124,000 | ₦109,000 – ₦124,000 |
| Warrant Officer | ₦148,000 – ₦171,000 | ₦148,000 – ₦171,000 | ₦148,000 – ₦171,000 |
| Captain / Lieutenant (Equivalent) | ₦311,000 – ₦373,000 | ₦311,000 – ₦373,000 | ₦311,000 – ₦373,000 |
| Major / Squadron Leader (Equivalent) | ₦358,000 – ₦467,000 | ₦358,000 – ₦467,000 | ₦358,000 – ₦467,000 |
| Lieutenant Colonel / Commander | ₦467,000 – ₦560,000 | ₦467,000 – ₦560,000 | ₦467,000 – ₦560,000 |
| Colonel / Captain (Navy) | ₦560,000 – ₦933,000 | ₦560,000 – ₦933,000 | ₦560,000 – ₦933,000 |
| General / Admiral | ₦2,333,000 – ₦3,111,000 | ₦2,333,000 – ₦3,111,000 | ₦2,333,000 – ₦3,111,000 |
Note:
Ranks may have different names in each branch (e.g., Petty Officer in the Navy, Squadron Leader in the Air Force).
Base pay is rarely the full monthly take-home amount due to allowances.
Allowances and Operational Pay
While base salaries are similar across branches, allowances can vary significantly:
Nigerian Army
Hazard allowance for ground deployments
Hardship pay in remote operations
Operational duty allowance
Nigerian Navy
Sea duty allowance for personnel on ship or coastal assignments
Navigation or seamanship pay
Operational allowances for maritime security missions
Nigerian Air Force
Flight or aviation duty pay
Maintenance and technical allowances
Operational allowances during flight missions
Because allowances depend on posting and duty type, total earnings can vary widely even at the same rank across the three services.
Retirement and Post-Service Benefits
Across all branches, retired personnel can receive:
Gratuity based on rank and years served
Monthly pension
Access to military medical services
Resettlement support and training opportunities
Higher-ranking officers typically receive larger pension packages.
Which Branch Pays More?
On base salary alone, all three services follow the same pay scale. Differences in total income typically depend on:
Type of deployment
Allowances earned
Specialized roles
Operational risk area
For example, a Navy officer on extended sea duty may earn extra sea pay, while an Air Force pilot may receive flight pay on top of base salary.
Should I Choose a Service Based on Salary?
If your main priority is pay, remember that:
Base pay is similar across services
Allowances vary by duty assignment, not branch
Skills and specialisation often determine overall earnings
It may be more strategic to consider your interests (aircraft operations, maritime security, ground combat, engineering roles) rather than just pay comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does a Nigerian Army recruit earn?
Recruits earn between ₦70,000 and ₦86,000 monthly during training, excluding allowances.
Do officers earn more than enlisted soldiers?
Yes. Commissioned officers receive higher base salaries and allowances.
Are allowances paid monthly?
Most allowances are paid monthly, while some depend on specific deployments or training periods.
Can allowances exceed base salary?
In operational areas, allowances can sometimes be higher than basic pay.
Does the salary structure change every year?
Adjustments may occur due to government policy or economic conditions.
Summary
The Nigerian Army salary structure for 2026 shows a clear progression system, steady income, and strong post-service support. While military service demands discipline and commitment, it remains one of the most stable career options available in Nigeria.
Anyone planning to enlist should always follow official Nigerian Army recruitment portals and announcements for accurate updates.
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