Dare Babalola
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the creation of a dedicated welfare fund aimed at supporting members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, including personnel wounded in active service and families of those who died in the line of duty.
The initiative, unveiled on Sunday in a State House press release signed by Bayo Onanuga, coincided with the President’s 74th birthday and was presented as part of efforts to honour the sacrifices of military personnel safeguarding the nation.
According to the statement, the proposed fund will provide targeted financial assistance to injured service members, as well as widows, widowers, and children of fallen soldiers. The President has directed the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to immediately establish a special account that will serve as the financial base for the initiative.
The move, the presidency said, is designed to institutionalise support for those who have borne the brunt of Nigeria’s security challenges, ensuring they are not neglected after their service or sacrifice.
President Tinubu pledged to donate all his salaries since assuming office to serve as seed funding for the welfare scheme. The contribution, according to the statement, underscores his commitment to prioritising the wellbeing of military personnel and their families.
The President also called on state governors, members of the National Assembly, private sector stakeholders, and well-meaning Nigerians to contribute to the fund, stressing that broad-based support would be critical to its sustainability and impact.
Tinubu emphasised that caring for members of the armed forces should not be viewed as an act of charity but as a collective national responsibility. He noted that while existing insurance schemes may provide some level of support, they are insufficient to fully address the long-term needs of injured personnel and bereaved families.
The President described the initiative as rooted in a “solemn national obligation” to recognise and support those who risk their lives daily to maintain peace and security across the country.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment, Tinubu stated that improving the welfare of military personnel remains a priority. He said efforts are ongoing to ensure that the sacrifices of service members are matched with dignity, proper care, and sustained institutional support.
While full operational details of the fund are yet to be released, the presidency indicated that further information regarding its structure, governance, and disbursement mechanisms will be made available in due course.
The announcement adds to ongoing conversations around military welfare in Nigeria, as the government faces increasing pressure to strengthen support systems for security personnel confronting insurgency, banditry, and other threats nationwide.
