The Nigerian Army has approved an upward review of monthly ration allowance to military men, from N1,000 to N1,200.
According to Peoples Gazette, this was contained in a memo signed by Major-General, Emmanuel Emekah on behalf of the chief of army staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, which surfaced amid reports of soldiers lamenting over poor welfare and delayed salaries.
The approval of raise in allowance came on July 27, according to the memo whose authenticity the Gazette reports was confirmed by officers.
It read in part: “Sequel to the recent removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government of Nigeria, with its attendant rise in the prices of goods and services across the country, the COAS has graciously approved upward review of ration cash allowance of troops from N1,000 to N1,200 with effect from August 2023.”
A lieutenant who craved anonymity told The Gazette; “Members of my unit are already complaining that the allowance is just too poor. They were expecting about N5,000 in ration allowance because their salaries are too low already. Most of them earn less than N70,000 per month.”
The development comes as Nigerians have commenced protests across the country over the petrol subsidy removal, which has seen commodity prices rise exponentially.