A wave of anger has swept through the ranks of retired military officers following reports that the Federal
Government has approved lifetime benefits for some sacked service chiefs in Nigeria.
The ex-soldiers, who expressed disappointment over the decision, described it as “unjust and insensitive,”
especially at a time when many retired servicemen are battling poverty, unpaid pensions, and neglect after years of loyal service to the nation.
According to reports, the government’s decision to grant the former service chiefs full lifetime entitlements
including official residences, vehicles, domestic aides, and other privileges — has sparked outrage within the military community.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, a group of retired officers under the Coalition of Concerned
Veterans (CCV) said the policy reflects inequality and a lack of respect for the sacrifices of rank-and-file soldiers who risked their lives defending the country.
The group’s spokesperson, Colonel Ibrahim Danjuma (rtd), accused the authorities of favoring a select few while neglecting thousands of veterans living in hardship.
“Many of us fought in several operations across the country and even outside Nigeria, yet we are struggling to survive.
It is painful to see those who were removed from office being rewarded with lifetime benefits while genuine veterans are abandoned,” Danjuma lamented.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the decision, noting that the gesture could demoralize serving
personnel who may feel that their sacrifices will not be equally recognized after retirement.
Another retired soldier, Major Chukwuma Okorie (rtd), called for the National Assembly to intervene and
ensure fairness in the allocation of benefits within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“We are not against rewarding service chiefs, but the same government must remember the thousands of ex-soldiers
who have not received gratuities or pensions for years,” Okorie added.
Civil society groups and human rights organizations have also joined the call, demanding transparency in the process
used to grant the lifetime benefits. They argue that such privileges should be tied strictly to performance and accountability while in office.
As of press time, the Ministry of Defence had not issued an official statement regarding the controversy. However,
sources close to the ministry confirmed that discussions are ongoing to address the grievances of the aggrieved veterans.
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