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Tinubu approves new conditions of service for military personnel
President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, presided over the National Defence Council meeting, where he approved the new Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for officers and enlisted personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, revealed this on his official X handle on Monday.
Dada said the new HTACOS is a significant step toward improving the welfare of soldiers, ratings and airmen nationwide.
It aims to address longstanding concerns within the military regarding service conditions by streamlining policies for officers and enlisted personnel.
Olusegun wrote, “President Tinubu presides over the National Defence Council meeting, approved the new harmonised terms and conditions of service officers, soldiers/ratings/airmen.”
He said through the harmonised framework, the Tinubu administration seeks to boost morale and enhance the operational readiness of Nigeria’s defence forces.
During the high-level defence council meeting, Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the armed forces in their critical role of safeguarding national security.
“This development is part of the government’s broader strategy to prioritise welfare reforms and strengthen institutional frameworks within the military.
“Details of the harmonised terms are expected to be released by the Ministry of Defence in the coming days,” Olusegun concluded.
Speaking after the meeting, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, said the new review will translate to better welfare and morale boost for personnel.
Badaru said, “It means there are new regulations that we are supposed to review every five years on the conduct of the management of the armed forces. And that has been done.
“We have been waiting for this for some time, and today it has been concluded, and Mr President has signed it.
“It will translate to more efficiency, services and welfare to the officers, and that will encourage them and improve their morale.”
On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said the terror group, Lukarawa, are on the run due to joint efforts by Nigerians and Nigerian military.
The Lukarawa group, initially emerging around 2016 or 2017 in Sokoto State, began as a self-defence militia invited by local leaders to combat escalating banditry.
Over time, they evolved into a radical faction, imposing strict religious laws and exerting control over local communities. Their activities have expanded into Kebbi State, where they have been involved in violent attacks, including a ghastly operation in November 2024 in Mera village, Augie Local Government Area, resulting in multiple deaths and cattle rustling.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has identified Lukarawa as a terrorist group affiliated with extremist elements from Mali and Niger, exacerbating insecurity in the northwestern region. The group has reportedly disrupted local governance, usurping traditional rulers’ roles and enforcing their own codes of conduct. They are also known for recruiting local youths through financial incentives, offering up to N1m to attract followers.
However, Musa said, “I can tell you, Lukarawas are on the run. We’re after them, and we’re pursuing them all over. They have no breathing space. We’re working together with the troops from Niger to ensure that they don’t have where to hide.
“We can assure Nigerians that the members of the armed forces are on top of their game, and we’ll continue to do that. All we require is for Nigerians to continue to support the armed forces and the security agencies.
“If you see something that is wrong, please don’t hesitate to report and action will be taken immediately.”
Musa said the HTACOS is for the complete management and administration of members of the armed forces to make it more efficient by considering the welfare of the personnel, administrative and management team of the Armed Forces.
“What it does again is in the issues of promotion, welfare, health and remuneration of members of the armed forces all captured in here.
“These terms and conditions service is being reviewed every five years. The last time was in 2017, so it was time to do the next one. It is to make improvements and make sure that we’re more efficient,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion.
He also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
This was announced on Friday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The ₦68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks ₦4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and ₦15.8 trillion for debt service.
It allocates ₦15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and ₦32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure.
“With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.
The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians,” the statement read in part.
The President also has assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends the implementation period of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
The extension, the statement revealed, would ensure the full and effective utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure and development projects that are at advanced stages of implementation across the country.
It will enable ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to consolidate ongoing works, enhance project completion rates, and maximise value for public expenditure. With the 2026 Appropriation Act coming into force on April 1, the Federal Government will commence full implementation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” it added.
Additionally, President Tinubu directed MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent, and efficient utilisation of allocated resources, with a strong emphasis on value for money and timely project delivery.
He commended the National Assembly for its diligence, cooperation, and patriotism in expeditiously considering and passing the budget.
The President reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government in advancing national development objectives.
Tinubu also assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms, enhance revenue generation, and prioritise investments that will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen social protection mechanisms.
The budget is also expected to be partly financed through external borrowing, following the approval of a foreign loan plan exceeding $21 billion to bridge the fiscal gap.
₦9.85trn Increase
The 2026 budget represents an increase of ₦9.85 trillion over the initial proposal of ₦58.47 trillion that Tinubu submitted to the National Assembly, and ₦13.33 trillion higher than the 2025 budget.
The President had while presenting the 2025 budget proposal before federal lawmakers in December 2025, pegged the capital expenditure at ₦26.08 trillion and the crude oil benchmark at US$64.85 per barrel.
He disclosed that the expected total revenue was ₦34.33 trillion; ₦15.52 trillion for debt servicing.
The proposal was anchored on a crude oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the US Dollar for the 2026 fiscal year.
Amid the growing concerns over insecurity across the country, Tinubu said his administration would “invest in security with clear accountability for outcomes—because security spending must deliver security results”.
“We will take decisive steps to strengthen agricultural markets. Food security is national security.
“The 2026 budget prioritises input financing and mechanisation; irrigation and climate‑resilient agriculture; storage and processing; and agro‑value chains,” he told the National Assembly members.
Nigeria’s budgets in recent years have come under fire with experts critcising the poor implementation and release of funds for the execution of important national projects.
But the Tinubu administration said that the 2026 national budget was well-planned to solidify the gains of its reform agenda.
“Our ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ is critical. It is a commitment to double down on what is working, to solidify gains, and to ensure that the shared prosperity we speak of becomes a lived reality for more Nigerians, faster,” Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said in a statement.
Popular sports broadcast journalist with Classic FM 97.3, Temisan Okomi, has died.
A journalist with News Central, Olawale Adigun, confirmed his death in a statement shared on X on Friday.
He wrote on X, “The worst way to go into the weekend is hearing about Temisan Okomi’s passing. I’m so gutted and, at the same time, terrified. This man meant so much to me.”
Recall that news of his death has since stirred reactions on X, with colleagues and fans expressing shock and grief.
The late journalist had worked with Lagos Television, HiTV, and other prominent media organizations in Nigeria.
His last post on X was on April 14, 2026, when he wrote, “The Champions League is hard, man.”
Ibrahim Abdulkarim, a political associate of ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has claimed that the former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has agreed to deputize the Obi in the 2027 presidential race.
He spoke during an interview on Trust TV, said the Obidients and the Kwankwassiyya Movements are already aligning towards Obi/Kwankwaso ticket.
Asked if Obi and Kwankwaso had struck a deal, Abdulkarim said “yes, I can categorically tell you that they have agreed”.
We all know that. Both the Obidients and the Kwankwassiyya Movements are aware of the agreement”.
Recall that Kwankwaso recently decamped from the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
His move stirred suspicion that the two political gladiators may have agreed to run for the 2027 presidency on a single ticket.
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