Investigative findings by SaharaReporters indicate that Nigerian Army personnel deployed to the North-East for counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram are receiving only a fraction of their authorized stipends.
Specifically, soldiers are reportedly paid N20,000 monthly, despite a Scarce Skills Allowance (SSA) of N100,000 approved by the Federal Government.
Discrepancy and Official Approval History
The discrepancy has caused significant discontent among the ranks. Soldiers interviewed expressed frustration that, years after the official approval in 2017, they have not received their full entitlements.
“The Federal Government approved N100,000 per soldier, but we consistently receive N20,000,” one soldier stated. “While the Air Force recently increased their payment to N50,000, the Army has maintained the lower rate. This pattern of underpayment began during the tenure of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.).”
The SSA is defined under the Manual of Financial Administration for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (MAFA), a welfare initiative introduced in November 2017 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The MAFA explicitly mandates a N100,000 monthly payment for all military personnel engaged in the operations, irrespective of their rank.
However, sources confirm that current payments range between N20,000 and N30,000, a clear and documented violation of the official financial guidelines.
Recurrent Allegations of Fund Diversion
This revelation is not isolated. It mirrors allegations first published in year N2021 where troops accused the Army leadership under Buratai of diverting their approved allowances. Complaints at the time centered on the Uniform and Boot Allowance, which was reportedly unpaid, and the SSA, which was being severely reduced.
A detailed account from one soldier illustrated the payment structure implemented by the Army: “The Scarce Skills Allowance approved in year 2017 was 100,000. The Army only commenced payment in year 2020 and the breakdown was tiered: Privates to Corporals received N20,000, Sergeants and Staff Sergeants N25,000, and Warrant Officers N30,000. Furthermore, essential allowances like the Uniform and Boot Allowance have not been disbursed at all.”
Call for Anti-Corruption Investigation
The aggrieved soldiers are now appealing directly to President Bola Tinubu to intervene. They urge the President to task key anti-corruption bodies, specifically the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), with investigating the alleged non-payment and diversion of these critical welfare funds.
