Retired military personnel across Nigeria have renewed their calls for an upward review of salaries and pensions for both serving and retired officers, warning that prolonged delays are worsening frustrations within the veterans’ community.
The demand was raised last week during a meeting between the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and members of the Ministry of Defence’s five-man Ministerial Standing Committee on Military Veterans’ Welfare, led by retired Air Commodore Femi Oguntuyi.
Although the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, confirmed the meeting, he did not disclose further details.
Sources at the meeting revealed that the veterans insisted pensions cannot be reviewed unless the salaries of serving personnel are first increased, citing recommendations submitted as far back as 2023.
“Neglecting welfare obligations is fuelling agitation among ex-servicemen. These are men who gave their youth and blood for the nation. A fair pension tied to current realities is not too much to ask,” one of the retirees said.
They also demanded the reversal of a 2017 policy that reduced pensions for medically retired servicemen, describing it as unjust. In addition, they called for one-off financial compensation for those permanently disabled while in service.
The veterans further urged the government to honour fallen and living servicemen with national awards, stressing that if sportsmen and entertainers receive medals and houses, military veterans who defended the nation deserve the same recognition.
Responding, General Musa reportedly acknowledged their concerns and directed the Chief of Administration at Defence Headquarters to engage with the committee to produce “workable solutions within a short time frame.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja, called for stronger regional cooperation against terrorism, cybercrime, piracy, and transnational organised crime.
He proposed the establishment of a permanent African Chiefs of Defence Staff Forum to sustain defence coordination across the continent, while also emphasising investment in cyber security, artificial intelligence, and indigenous military innovation.
“Security is the foundation upon which the edifice of progress must stand. This summit must not merely end with applause but mark a covenant to deepen cooperation,” Tinubu said.
The summit also featured tributes to fallen soldiers, with speakers including Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, ECOWAS Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah, and Nigeria’s CDS General Musa, all stressing the need for African-led solutions to insecurity.
