President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the establishment of a dedicated welfare fund aimed at supporting injured members of Nigeria’s Armed Forces and the families of personnel who lost their lives in service.
In a significant personal gesture, the President pledged to donate all his salaries since assuming office in May 2023 as the seed funding for the initiative.
The announcement was made on Saturday as part of activities marking his 74th birthday, with Tinubu describing the fund as a lasting tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering service of military personnel across the country.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President has directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to set up a special account for the fund. The initiative is designed to cater to wounded service members, as well as widows, widowers, and children of fallen soldiers.
Tinubu noted that the creation of the fund reflects his administration’s resolve to ensure that those who have paid the price for Nigeria’s peace and security are not neglected.
He further called on state governors, members of the National Assembly, private sector players, and well-meaning Nigerians to contribute towards sustaining the fund.
Emphasising the moral responsibility behind the initiative, the President stated that supporting military personnel should not be seen as charity, but as a collective national duty to those who risk their lives to defend the country.
Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to improving the welfare of members of the Armed Forces, assuring that their sacrifices would be met with dignity, care, and consistent institutional support.
