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JUST IN: FG Announces New Minimum Salary for Ministry in 2026
The Federal Government says it has doubled the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers from N49,000 to N100,000 in its latest effort to improve troop welfare and strengthen morale.
Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, disclosed the salary review during an interview with News Central.
He described the development as one of the welfare improvements introduced by the current administration for military personnel.
“When they started, a soldier was collecting N49,000 monthly. We tried so hard, now he’s collecting N100,000,” the minister said.
For decades, concerns over poor salaries, inadequate accommodation, delayed benefits and rising living costs have dominated discussions on military welfare.
Musa also dismissed allegations that soldiers were being poorly fed, describing claims circulating on social media as misleading.
Referring to a viral video involving a military officer identified as Justice Crack, he alleged that the footage was deliberately manipulated to create a false impression about the quality of meals served to troops.
“The soldier’s food was okay. There was meat; there was all this. But he told them to pull out those things and make it look as if those things were not there,” he said.
The minister’s remarks come as the Federal Government continues to pursue a mix of welfare reforms, increased security spending and renewed military operations aimed at improving the effectiveness of troops battling insecurity across the country.
But calls persist for greater investment in equipment, intelligence gathering and personnel welfare.
Musa maintained that Nigeria’s defence allocation remains inadequate to meet the enormous demands placed on the Armed Forces.
Responding to a question on whether the current defence budget was sufficient, he replied, “It’s not enough.”
He noted, however, that the government would continue investing in the welfare and operational capacity of the military to enable personnel to respond more effectively to the country’s security challenges.
The minister also advocated tougher punishment for kidnappers, calling for the introduction of the death penalty to discourage the growing wave of abductions across the country.
According to him, existing sanctions have failed to deter perpetrators.
“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” he said.
The Kano State Government has declared Tuesday, September 1, 2026, a work-free day for civil servants across the state to observe Takutaha, the annual religious and traditional procession.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf approved the announcement, which was formally addressed to senior government officials including commissioners, permanent secretaries, and heads of state agencies.
As reported by Daily Trust, the directive was published in Circular No. 7/2026, signed by Abba A. Danguguwa, Permanent Secretary of the Establishment Directorate in the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
Danguguwa issued the statement on behalf of the Head of Service. The circular noted that the holiday falls on the 19th of Rabi’ul Awwal, 1448AH.
What Is Takutaha?
Takutaha is a centuries-old celebration held on the 19th of Rabi’ul Awwal each year. It commemorates the seventh-day naming ceremony following the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and carries deep spiritual and cultural significance for residents of Kano.
Many make their way to Twin Dala and Goron Dutse hills, where they climb to share meals, feast, and enjoy religious performances while overlooking Kano
Kano government’s message to civil servants
In its declaration, the Kano State Government described Takutaha as an occasion of deep communal and spiritual importance. Officials urged civil servants to use the day for prayers and reflection, seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity in Kano and Nigeria as a whole.
The government also confirmed that essential services will continue to operate normally throughout the holiday.
2 public holidays in August 2026
Recall that Nigeria has two public holidays scheduled for August 2026, covering both religious and cultural observances.
Isese Day falls on Thursday, August 20, and four Southwest states are set to observe it as a work-free day.
Eid ul-Mawlid comes up later in August, with its date depending on moon sighting and authorities’ confirmation.
Ibadan, Oyo state – Alhaji Abdul Waheed Akintola Olajide, who served as Secretary to the Oyo State Government during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
He was reported to be either 74 or 80 years old, with different accounts giving conflicting figures.
As reported by The Guardian, Olajide’s family confirmed his death in a statement released on Wednesday, August 26, describing him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and cousin. The family thanked God for his life and called on friends and the public to offer prayers and support as they grieve, according to PM News. He was buried in Ibadan on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in accordance with Islamic burial rites.
Olajide was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was widely regarded as a committed public servant within Oyo State political circles.
Waheed Olajide: Aare Musulumi Pays Tribute
The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola De-Damak, confirmed Olajide’s sad passing and expressed deep sadness over the death.
Through a statement, the Aare Musulumi called Olajide a devout Muslim, a man of integrity and a dedicated public servant who served Oyo State with dignity and a strong sense of responsibility.
He described the loss as “painful” for the late SSG’s family, the Muslim community and Oyo State as a whole.
Olajide’s death: Media Personality Recalls Personal Bond
Faysol Oluwakemi, who is also a media personality, shared a personal tribute on his Facebook page, recalling the role Olajide played during his own political journey ahead of the 2027 Oyo State House of Assembly election. He wrote:
The news of the passing of Alhaji Waheed Olajide, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, is deeply painful to me.
“Beyond the fact that we belonged to the same Progressives family and came from the same Ward 3 in Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1, Alhaji Waheed Olajide was a father figure, mentor and political elder to me.”
Oluwakemi recalled that Olajide counselled him during campaign consultations and encouraged him even after he lost his party ticket. He quoted one of the late SSG’s pieces of advice:
“You have all the qualities to represent our constituency. I pray you get the ticket. But promise me that whenever you get the ticket, you will represent Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1 with dignity, transparency and inclusion.”
He closed his tribute with the words: “Rest well, Baba SSG. Your words will continue to guide me.”
The Federal Government has appointed a Professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Emmanuel Olukemi Rotimi, as a member of the Policy Advisory Committee supporting the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill.
Daily Voice reports that Rotimi was selected because of his academic work on the history and development of policing in Nigeria, especially his research into the country’s former decentralised police systems.
According to Nigerian Tribune, the proposed National Policing Bill is being prepared to create a legal framework for the operation of both Federal and State Police Services.
The Presidential Working Group is chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The group has been given seven weeks to prepare a draft of the proposed legislation that can be implemented and submit it to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The Policy Advisory Committee is headed by retired Justice Mohammed Abdullahi Liman.
Its duties include providing policy guidance, giving instructions for the drafting process and reviewing the contents of the proposed Bill before it is finalised.
Rotimi is a professor in the Department of History at Obafemi Awolowo University and has spent many years studying Nigeria’s policing system.
His academic work has focused on how policing developed under colonial and post-colonial administrations and the challenges faced by earlier local police institutions.
His master’s research examined the Native Administration Police Forces in Western Nigeria between 1905 and 1951.
He later conducted doctoral research on Native Administration Police Forces across Nigeria from 1900 to 1970.
He also authored The Police in a Federal State: The Nigerian Experience, published in 2001. The book examined the origin, organization, and development of Native Authority and Local Government police forces before those institutions were eventually abolished
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