President Bola Tinubu chaired the National Defence Council meeting, during which he approved the new Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) for officers and enlisted personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces. This approval was announced by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, via his official X account on Monday.
According to Olusegun, the new HTACOS represents a significant step toward improving the welfare of soldiers, ratings, and airmen across the country. The initiative aims to address long-standing concerns about military service conditions by streamlining policies for both officers and enlisted personnel.
In his statement, Olusegun said, “President Tinubu presides over the National Defence Council meeting and approved the new harmonised terms and conditions of service for officers, soldiers, ratings, and airmen.”
The new framework is designed to enhance the morale and operational readiness of Nigeria’s defence forces, with the Tinubu administration prioritizing the welfare of the military. During the meeting, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the armed forces in their crucial role of safeguarding national security.
Following the meeting, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, emphasized that the new review would lead to improved welfare and a morale boost for personnel. Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, reported that the terrorist group Lukarawa is on the run, thanks to joint efforts between the Nigerian military and citizens.
Lukarawa, which emerged around 2016 or 2017 in Sokoto State as a self-defence militia, was originally formed by local leaders to combat rising banditry. However, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has since identified Lukarawa as a terrorist group with ties to extremist elements from Mali and Niger.
The group has been responsible for escalating insecurity in the northwestern region, disrupting local governance, undermining traditional rulers, and enforcing their own codes of conduct. They also recruit local youths by offering financial incentives, with up to N1 million promised to potential followers.
