Directs Accountant-General to open special account as he calls on governors, lawmakers, and private sector to back the initiative
Abuja: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marked his 74th birthday on Sunday by announcing the creation of a welfare fund for Nigeria’s Armed Forces and pledging his salary since taking office as its seed capital.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Saturday, March 29, 2026.
The fund, which will be domiciled in a special account under the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, is designed to provide targeted financial support to military personnel wounded in active service, as well as to the widows, widowers, and children of soldiers who paid the ultimate price in defence of the nation.
“Supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families is a duty,” the President stated, describing the initiative as a constitutional and moral obligation to those serving on behalf of Nigeria.
Tinubu used his birthday commemoration to emphasise that the fund represents a formal commitment rather than a political gesture. He noted that the initiative is independent of current military insurance schemes and that these programs have historically had gaps in supporting the welfare of affected families.
The President issued a broad call to action, urging state governors, members of the National Assembly, the organised private sector, and personal well-wishers to contribute to the fund. Full operational details, including account information and contribution guidelines, are expected to be made public soon.
