Nigeria will increase military salaries by between 30 and 80 percent, a presidential adviser said on Tuesday, as the government seeks to boost the morale of troops battling widespread insecurity.

The pay rise for about 250,000 personnel comes as many Nigerians grapple with rising living costs, as a range of reforms by President Bola Tinubu intended to boost the economy and reassure international investors continue to burden citizens.

Inflation soared to 30 percent in 2024 but has since slowed to 15.91 percent in June, while fuel prices have more than tripled in four years.

Around 61 percent of Nigerians live in poverty, according to the World Bank, a four-percent increase from when Tinubu took office in May 2023.

New salaries

Two military officials told AFP that the least paid military personnel -- a private -- earns 100,000 naira ($73) as basic salary per month.

"Officers above the rank of colonel will enjoy a 30 per cent salary increase," Tinubu's media adviser Bayo Onanuga said in a statement.

"This applies to Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals.

"Personnel from colonel down to warrant officer will have a 50 per cent increase, while Private to Staff Sergeant will have an 80 per cent increase."

The pay package, to be introduced from September, will raise the annual wage bill for Nigeria's armed forces to 924 billion naira (about $678 million), from 660 billion naira, according to the presidency.

Terrorism and economy

Nigeria is grappling with more than 17 years of terrorism in the northeast, alongside farmer-herder conflict in the north-central region.

Violent secessionist agitation rumbles on in the southeast, while rampant kidnappings for ransom plague the northwest.

The pay rise was a "sign of our deep appreciation" for the military, Tinubu, who is up for re-election in January, said in the statement.

"The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation."