Tinubu donates all Presidential salaries to welfare fund for armed forces, families

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to donate all his salaries since assuming office in May 2023 to a newly established welfare fund aimed at supporting members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and their families.

Tinubu announced this in a statement he personally issued on Sunday to mark his 74th birthday.

“On this, my 74th birthday, I celebrate the valiant men and women of our Armed Forces,” he said.

“Today, I have directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to establish a special account for a fund dedicated to those who serve, those wounded in the line of duty, and the families of those who have paid the ultimate price.

“As a personal commitment, all my salaries since assuming office will be paid into this account as seed funding, irrespective of existing insurance and welfare schemes for members of our armed forces.

“This fund will directly support those who have lost their limbs, and the widows, widowers, and children of those who laid down their lives in service to our dear country,” he added.

Tinubu urged governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, and Nigerians at large to support the initiative, stressing that caring for soldiers and their families is a national duty.

“I call on our governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector, my friends, and all well-wishers to support this initiative. Details of the account will be made available in due course,” he stated.

“We must never forget those who stand in harm’s way for our peace, nor the sacrifices borne by their families. This is not charity. It is a duty. And we will fulfil it,” the President added.

On December 2, 2025, President Tinubu had launched the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem and appeal fund at the State House, Abuja, marking the start of activities ahead of the January 15 commemoration. On that occasion, he donated ₦200 million towards the ₦320 million raised, unveiled the “Thank a Soldier” digital platform, and announced a Ministry of Defence programme to deploy retired military personnel to secure ungoverned areas.

The President opted for a low-key celebration of his birthday, citing the prevailing national mood and his administration’s ongoing economic reforms. He has, however, received congratulatory messages from governors across the country.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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