Nigeria, Aug. 5 -- President Bola Tinubu has approved a salary increase of between 30 and 80 per cent for members of Nigeria's Armed Forces, a move expected to raise the federal government's annual military wage bill by N264 billion as the country continues to battle terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

This was disclosed in a Tuesday statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga who noted that the pay review will take effect from 1 September.

The presidency said about 250,000 personnel would benefit from the salary review. While it did not explain the figure, it likely refers to active members of the Nigerian Armed Forces currently on the federal payroll across the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force.

The military...