Nigeria approves recruitment of 28,000 military personnel

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of 28,000 military personnel to strengthen national security, his spokesman said, as the country faces several conflicts.

Spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Thursday that Tinubu had approved the additional recruitment, describing it as part of efforts to improve the country's security system. He said the measures would also include buying equipment and improving troop welfare.

Nigeria is fighting a long-running conflict across its northern regions. The violence has been complicated by militants from the Sahel and by non-ideological "bandit" gangs.

Tinubu, who is up for re-election in January, declared a nationwide security emergency last November after mass kidnappings and violence. He had promised to respond by increasing the number of security personnel on the ground.

Local media reported last week that the minimum wage for soldiers had been doubled to 100,000 naira, or $72, a month for the lowest paid troops. The government has already launched a recruitment drive for 50,000 police officers.

Nigeria's violence has drawn increased international scrutiny. US President Donald Trump said Nigeria's Christians were being persecuted. The Nigerian government rejected that claim and said Christians and Muslims were equally victims of the violence.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian presidency said Trump had praised Tinubu in a letter for his "decisive leadership" and his resolve to address issues affecting Nigeria, especially violence affecting Christian communities.