RismadarVoice Reporters
February 18, 2026
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for deliberate policy frameworks, predictable funding structures, and coordinated institutional mechanisms to guarantee sustainable welfare for Nigerian military veterans.
The Army Chief made the call while receiving the Chairperson of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion, Ms Grace Morenike Henry, during a courtesy visit at Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Lt. Gen. Shaibu stressed that the strength of any professional military institution is measured not only by its operational performance but also by how it treats its veterans after service. He noted that officers and soldiers who served in complex operational theatres across the country deserve structured post-service support systems that reflect national gratitude and long-term strategic planning.
“Sustainable veterans’ welfare must be anchored on clear policies and backed by reliable funding and institutional coordination capable of delivering enduring impact,” the COAS stated.
He observed that leading military institutions globally have institutionalized comprehensive veterans’ welfare systems supported by legislation, policy clarity, and guaranteed budgetary provisions. According to him, Nigeria must strengthen and expand its existing frameworks to ensure that retired personnel transit smoothly into civilian life without facing socio-economic hardship.
Describing veterans as strategic national assets, Lt. Gen. Shaibu encouraged retired personnel to engage actively in politics, governance, and policy advocacy. He said their leadership experience, discipline, crisis-management skills, and exposure to national security dynamics uniquely position them to contribute meaningfully to legislative and executive responsibilities.
The Army Chief also called for sustained engagement with the National Assembly to promote legislative initiatives that would strengthen veterans’ welfare and reinforce the country’s broader security architecture. He noted that many retirees possess valuable administrative, logistics, and clerical expertise that could be redeployed across both public and private sectors as consultants and advisers.
Additionally, he urged veterans to document and publish their professional experiences to preserve institutional memory, enrich national security discourse, generate sustainable income, and inspire future generations of service personnel.
Earlier, Ms Grace Morenike Henry highlighted structural challenges facing retirees and personnel nearing discharge. She cited low public awareness of the Nigerian Legion’s statutory mandate and limited societal appreciation of veterans’ contributions as major constraints.
She observed that national attention to veterans’ welfare often peaks during the annual Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, rather than being sustained throughout the fiscal year.
The Legion Chairperson further identified the absence of a dedicated budget line for veterans’ affairs in the national appropriation framework as a major gap, resulting in inconsistent funding and reliance on ad-hoc interventions. She advocated the establishment of a fully funded ministry dedicated exclusively to veterans’ affairs to provide clearer policy direction and institutional coordination nationwide.
The meeting reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to advancing a comprehensive, policy-driven approach to veterans’ welfare, integrating legislative backing, fiscal responsibility, and sustained national recognition of service.
