President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has established a dedicated welfare fund for members of the Armed Forces, pledging to channel all his salaries since assuming office in May 2023 into the initiative as seed funding to support wounded personnel and families of fallen heroes.
The president announced the initiative on Monday during activities marking his 74th birthday, describing it as a personal gesture of appreciation for the sacrifices made by Nigeria’s military personnel in defending the nation.
He said the fund is intended to provide structured and sustained assistance to service members who have been injured in the line of duty, as well as to the spouses and children of those who lost their lives in service.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president has directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to open a special account dedicated to the fund.
The account will serve as a central pool for contributions aimed at supporting injured personnel, widows, widowers, and dependants of deceased members of the Armed Forces.
Tinubu explained that the establishment of the fund reflects a national responsibility to ensure that those who risk their lives for the country are not neglected. He emphasised that the welfare of military personnel should not be viewed as an act of charity but as a collective obligation owed by the nation in recognition of their service and sacrifice.
As part of efforts to expand the reach of the initiative, the president called on stakeholders across various sectors, including state governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, and well-meaning individuals, to contribute to the fund.
He stressed that broad-based participation would strengthen the capacity of the initiative to meet the needs of its beneficiaries.
Tinubu further noted that the creation of the welfare fund aligns with his administration’s broader commitment to improving the living conditions and welfare of members of the Armed Forces. He assured that the government would continue to prioritise policies and programmes aimed at enhancing support systems for military personnel and their families.
The president reiterated that individuals serving in the Armed Forces deserve dignity, care, and institutional backing that matches the risks they undertake in the course of protecting the country’s sovereignty and maintaining internal security.
He added that the fund represents a step toward ensuring long-term, sustainable welfare support for those affected by service-related injuries and losses.
