President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the establishment of a dedicated support fund for members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces on Sunday, using the commemoration of his 74th birthday to honour the courage and sacrifice of the nation’s military personnel.
The President has directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to create a special account for the fund, which will provide targeted support to service members wounded in the line of duty, as well as to the widows, widowers, and children of those who lost their lives in service to the country.
As a personal commitment to the initiative, President Tinubu pledged to contribute all his salaries since assuming office as seed funding, reinforcing his resolve to ensure that those who have borne the cost of Nigeria’s peace and security are not forgotten.
The President emphasised that the initiative is rooted in a solemn national obligation to care for those who stand in harm’s way and the families who carry the burden of their sacrifice, irrespective of insurance programmes available to members of the armed forces.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the President made it clear that supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families is not an act of charity, but a duty that all must fulfil.
President Tinubu called on State Governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, his friends, and well-wishers to support the initiative. He noted that details of the fund will be made available in due course.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the welfare of military personnel and ensuring that their service to the nation is matched with dignity, care, and sustained support.
The announcement came as the President marked his 74th birthday, choosing the occasion to turn the spotlight on the nation’s service members who have paid the ultimate price or sustained life-altering injuries in the line of duty.
President Tinubu stated that the fund is designed to provide support beyond existing insurance programmes available to armed forces members, acknowledging that the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families require sustained and dedicated attention from the nation.
The initiative reflects a broader focus by the administration on military welfare, as Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges across various regions, requiring the armed forces to operate under demanding conditions.
Details regarding the structure of the fund, including administration, disbursement criteria, and contribution channels, are expected to be released in the coming weeks as the Accountant-General implements the President’s directive.
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