The Nigerian Military comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Forces is instrumental in defending the nation and maintaining peace within and beyond Nigeria’s borders. In its effort to take care of its officers in terms of salaries and benefits to enhance their effectiveness, Nigeria’s government has put different salary policies into place through the years. Against this backdrop, the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS) is the primary framework governing military salaries.
This post will examine the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS) for Nigerian Military in 2024, its relevance, application, implications on the ranks in the Nigerian military, and much more, we will explain how CONAFSS influences the salaries of the soldiers, the advantages of such structure, and its wider effects on the Nigerian military.
Also See: Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Salary And Ranks in 2024 (CONPOSS)
What is the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS)?
The Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure, also referred to as CONAFSS, is one of the pay systems that was created to rationalize and simplify the salary scales of the members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in Nigeria.
CONAFSS was instituted to ensure a compensation system that is equitable and transparent for military personnel. It was introduced with the intention of addressing inconsistencies and improving the financial well-being of military personnel.
Objectives of CONAFSS
- Uniformity: To make sure that all branches of the Nigerian military get paid the same salaries
- Equity: To make sure that everyone gets paid fairly based on their rank, experience, and level of duty.
- Attraction and Retention: To give competitive salaries that bring in and keep good employees.
- Morale and Welfare: To boost the morale and welfare of all military members by handling their money problems.
Components of CONAFSS
Rank-Based Salary: A rank-based system is used by CONAFSS, which means that personnel are paid according to their rank, beginning with the lowest rank (Private) and going all the way up to the highest rank (General).
Allowances: In addition to their salary, employees are eligible for several kinds of allowances, including the following:
- Uniform Allowance: for maintenance and replacement of uniforms
- Ration Allowance: for food and subsistence
- Transport Allowance: for transportation and fuel
- Hazard Allowance: for personnel serving in hazardous areas
- Special Duty Allowance: for personnel performing special duties, such as flying, diving, or medical services
Promotion Benefits: personnel receive a salary increase upon promotion to a higher rank
Overview of the Nigerian Military, Structure and Functions
The Nigerian Armed Forces comprise the following branches:
- Nigerian Army (NA): The roles and functions of the Nigerian Army include executing military operations on land as well as ensuring the internal peace of the country.
Structure: Includes infantry, artillery, engineering, and logistics units, among others.
- Nigerian Navy (NN): The strategic force of the Nigerian Navy situates its response to seaborne threats essentially in coastal and maritime defense thus the defense of Nigeria from incursions by water or through waterways is the objective accomplishment of the Nigerian Navy.
Structure: Operates naval vessels, including destroyers, frigates, and submarines, and is responsible for naval warfare, anti-piracy operations, and maritime patrols.
- Nigerian Air Force (NAF): The functions assigned to the Nigerian Air Force NAF include the holding and securing of the Nigerian airspace and providing air support on the operation of ground and other physical units of forces.
All of the branches of the Nigerian military are led by their respective service chiefs, who are accountable to the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), who is the highest-ranking officer in the Nigerian military.
Rank Structure and Salaries under CONAFSS
CONAFSS lists the exact salaries for each rank in the Nigerian military. The structure is meant to show what officers and enlisted personnel are responsible for and how senior they are.
Below is the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS) for Nigerian Military in 2024
The following is a full list of the ranks and their related salaries as of 2024:
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS)
- Rank Overview: The CDS is the highest military officer in Nigeria, whose general command includes the whole armed forces and the control of defense interactions.
- Salary: Included in the allowances for the Chief of Defence Staff are remuneration of approximately ₦1,800,000 per month. Such an amount reflects the degree of effort and strategic view held in this office.
Service Chiefs (Army, Navy, Air Force)
- Rank Overview: The Service Chiefs are the remaining high-ranking officers who command their branches and also report to the Chief of Defense Staff and oversee military operations and administration.
- Salary: Each Service Chief has a monthly pay of around ₦1,500,000. Salary wise, such a figure can be explained by the nature of the position and the level of the power held by these officers.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Chief of Air Staff (CAS)
Rank Overview: The COAS, CNS, and the CAS are concerned with the day-to-day operations and management of the Army, Navy, and Air forces respectively.
Salary: Each Chief of service chief receives remuneration of approximately ₦1,500,000 per month. This justifies the level of operational and administrative roles that come with such appointments.
Lieutenant General (Army), Vice Admiral (Navy), Air Marshal (Air Force)
- Rank Overview: This is the rank whose officers are above General officers and Admirals and in most cases are in charge of several large formations or fleets and also have strategic responsibilities.
- Salary: Lieutenant general, vice admirals, and air marshals receive salaries of about ₦1,000,000 per month.
Major General (Army), Rear Admiral (Navy), Air Vice Marshal (Air Force)
- Rank Overview: It is the responsibility of Major Generals, Rear Admirals, and Air vice Marshals to command particular divisions or significant troops within their respective branches of the military.
- Salary: For such ranks, they get approximate monthly salaries of around ₦850,000. The high command level conterminous with the wide scope of operational management accounts for these comparative earnings.
Brigadier General (Army), Commodore (Navy), Air Commodore (Air Force)
- Rank Overview: This is the rank held by officers responsible of commanding brigades and fleets or given the task of executing specific strategic orders within stipulated time frames.
- Salary: Such officers are estimated to earn around ₦750,000 per month.
Colonel (Army), Captain (Navy), Group Captain (Air Force)
- Rank Overview: Colonels, captains, and group captains are in charge of battalions, ships or squadrons and have detailed primary operational and planning responsibilities in their engagement.
- Salary: The monthly salary for these ranks is at least ₦600,000.
Lieutenant Colonel (Army), Commander (Navy), Wing Commander (Air Force)
- Rank Overview: Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders, and Wing Commanders manage units or ships and are responsible for executing operational plans.
- Salary: Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders, and Wing Commanders earn around ₦500,000 per month.
Major (Army), Lieutenant Commander (Navy), Squadron Leader (Air Force)
- Rank Overview: Majors, Lieutenant Commanders, and Squadron Leaders command sections or small units, ensuring operation efficiency
- Salary: These officers earn around ₦400,000 per month.
Captain (Army), Sub-Lieutenant (Navy), Flight Lieutenant (Air Force)
- Rank Overview: Officers of this grade are normally given command of a platoon or a related group as well as a significant responsibility in the area of operation planning and execution.
- Salary: The amount to be paid every month for these ranks of employment is roughly ₦300,000
Lieutenant (Army), Midshipman (Navy), Pilot Officer (Air Force)
- Rank Overview: Officers at this level namely lieutenants, midshipmen, and pilot officers are junior officers who perform simple occupational command and operational duties.
- Salary: Their average salary goes for around ₦250,000 every month.
Warrant Officer (Army), Chief Petty Officers (Navy), Warrant Officer (Air Force)
- Rank Overview: Warrant Officers, Chief Petty Officers, and Warrant Officers are levels of senior noncommissioned officers who provide, advanced technical skills and supervisorial authority.
- Salary: These ranks attract a monthly salary of ₦200,000 going up.
Staff Sergeant (Army), Petty Officers (Navy), Flight Sergeants (Airforce)
- Rank Overview: Staff Sergeants, Petty Officers, and Flight Sergeants are non-commissioned in rank and are in charge of junior officers and management within their units.
- Salary: The average pay for such ranks is around ₦150,000 monthly
Sergeant (The army), Leading seaman (The navy), Corporal (The airforce)
- Rank Overview: It is the responsibility of Sergeants, Leading Seamen, and Corporals to provide assistance for operations and to aid in the supervision of junior troops.
- Salary: Their salaries every month average around ₦120,000.
Corporal (The army), Able seamen (The navy), Airmen (The airforce)
- Rank overview: Junior ranking enlisted Officers Corporals, Able seamen and Aircraftmen perform basic Operations and Support duties.
- Salary: Their monthly salary is roughly ₦100,000. This reflects their level since they are primary support staff.
Private in the Army, Seaman in the Navy, Aircraftman in the Air Force
- Rank Overview: Privates, Seamen, and Aircraftmen are the lowest ranks in the Nigerian military. They are responsible for executing fundamental duties and providing assistance to higher levels with their duties.
- Salary: The salary regarding these ranks is normally set around the figure of ₦80,000 a month. This shows their entry-level orientation and low operational engagement.
Impact and Benefits of CONAFSS
These are some of the important areas that the launch of CONAFSS intends to address:
1. Uniformity and Fairness
It is the responsibility of CONAFSS to ensure that all branches of the Nigerian military have a salary structure that is uniform. In addition to ensuring that staff are treated appropriately based on their position and responsibilities, this uniformity helps reduce pay inequalities and guarantees that compensation is distributed evenly.
2. Attracting and Retaining Talent
The CONAFSS is designed to offer competitive compensation to entice candidates of high quality to join the military and to keep experienced professionals in their positions. An improvement in the Nigerian military’s attempts to recruit and retain personnel can be achieved through the provision of improved financial incentives.
3. Enhancing Employee Morale and Welfare
One factor that contributes to improved morale among military members is increased compensation. For officers and enlisted soldiers, having a stable financial situation enables them to concentrate on their jobs without being distracted by the burden of financial hardship.
4. Operational Efficiency
To ensure that its soldiers are motivated and well compensated, the Nigerian military can implement a consistent wage structure. This would ultimately lead to improvements in both the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the military.
5 Competitiveness
To ensure that Nigerian military personnel are paid at a level that is comparable to that of their colleagues in other African countries, the CONAFSS is responsible for ensuring competitiveness.
Challenges and Criticisms of CONAFSS
Though there are advantages associated with CONAFSS, some challenges and criticisms face this approach;
Financial Limitations
Implementing CONAFSS is rather expensive. People are worried whether better salaries will be funded in the future and whether it is a burden on the national budget.
Administrative Challenges
Units and branches may implement aspects of CONAFSS differently. One of the enacted principles is the absence of any structural occupational discrimination. There may be discrepancies in how the salary structure is applied in practice.
Salary Adjustments Related To Public Opinion
Public opinion can be negative when it comes to an increment of salaries and allowances for the military, particularly in the context of broader economic challenges and demands for military reform.
Inflation and Cost of Living
The compensation structure offered by CONAFSS has not kept up with inflation and the rising cost of living, which has resulted in a decrease in the purchasing power of personnel.
Rank Disparities:
Even with the implementation of CONAFSS, certain ranks continue to receive larger compensation than others, which results in disparities and dissatisfaction.
Recommendations
- Regular Reviews and Updates: It is necessary to give due attention to the factors determining the appropriate salary structure and review it more often in the future as necessary.
- Performance-Based Incentives: In the military, motivation is important, and so sieving only those achievements that are profit-oriented to the institution, should indeed be desirable. This can include the provision of bonuses, promotions, and other forms of recognition.
- Career Development Opportunities: Improving the professional development of military servicemen by presenting them with possibilities for career change and growth has been proven to increase their satisfaction with military service.
- Adequate Funding: Making sure that CONAFSS is appropriately funded is also necessary for its viability in the future. The government must provide adequate coverage for the increased remunerative packages.
- Employee Welfare Programs: In as much as the implementation of employee welfare programs may be described as expensive, such employee benefits considering healthcare, housing, and education are emergencies that would add value to the soldiers and their families.
Conclusion
The Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS) for Nigerian Military in 2024 is vital in the management of military personnel salaries and benefits. However, since it has its advantages, such as fairness, equity, transparency, and motivation, it has its disadvantages too, such as inadequate funds, inflation, and rank discrepancies.
As a way of overcoming these challenges, periodic revision and updates, more funds, unification of allowances, and transparency in promotion are helpful. So, where the Nigerian military operates such regular updates, it can adopt such a fair, clear, and motivating payment system for its personnel.