President Bola Tinubu has announced the creation of a special welfare fund to support members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, injured service personnel, and families of soldiers who died in the line of duty, pledging to donate all his salaries since assuming office as seed funding for the initiative.
The president made the announcement on Sunday as part of activities marking his 74th birthday, describing the initiative as a tribute to the courage and sacrifices of military personnel protecting the country.
According to a statement issued by the State House, Tinubu has directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to establish a dedicated account for the fund, which will provide targeted financial support to wounded soldiers, as well as widows, widowers, and children of fallen service members.
The president said the initiative reflects a national obligation to care for those who risk their lives for the country and the families who bear the consequences of their sacrifice.
As part of his personal commitment, Tinubu pledged to contribute all his salaries since taking office to launch the fund, while calling on state governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, and other stakeholders to support the initiative.
He emphasized that supporting members of the armed forces should not be viewed as charity but as a collective duty to ensure their welfare and dignity are protected.
The president also noted that the initiative would complement existing insurance and welfare programmes available to military personnel, ensuring additional support for those injured in service and families of fallen heroes.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the welfare of Nigeria’s armed forces, stressing that the government would continue to prioritise policies and programmes aimed at improving their living conditions and long-term support systems.
Further details on the structure and operation of the fund are expected to be released in the coming weeks.