President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to donate all his salaries since assuming office in May 2023 to a newly created welfare fund for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and their families.
The President made the announcement in a personally signed statement to mark his 74th birthday, describing the initiative as a moral obligation to those who risk their lives for the nation.
According to him, the fund will cater to serving personnel, soldiers wounded in the line of duty, those who have lost limbs, and the families of fallen heroes.
He disclosed that he has directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to set up a dedicated account for the scheme.
“As a personal commitment, all my salaries since assuming office will be paid into this account as seed funding,” Tinubu stated, adding that the gesture is independent of existing welfare and insurance structures for military personnel.
He called on governors, lawmakers, the private sector, and well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative, stressing that caring for the nation’s defenders is a collective responsibility.
“We must never forget those who stand in harm’s way for our peace, nor the sacrifices borne by their families. This is not charity—it is a duty,” he said.
The move builds on earlier efforts by the President, including his ₦200 million donation to the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Appeal Fund and the launch of the “Thank a Soldier” digital platform aimed at supporting military veterans.
Tinubu, who opted for a low-key birthday celebration in light of current economic realities, has continued to receive goodwill messages from political leaders and stakeholders across the country.
