Nigeria: Army begins enlisting ex-soldiers to bridge manpower shortfall

There are indications that the Nigerian Army may be currently experiencing an acute shortage of manpower, due to the high number of those who voluntarily retired.

It was gathered that one of the units badly hit by the development was the Mechanical Engineering Corps.

The PUNCH had reported that over 1,008 soldiers resigned from the Nigerian Army in the last four years.

According to the report, in 2023, the Nigerian Army approved the retirement of no fewer than 59 soldiers.

Earlier in 2022, a total of 261 soldiers resigned; in 2021, 127 resigned, and 365 resigned in 2020.

In August this year, 196 soldiers resigned from the Army.

Reacting to the report, the Army spokesperson, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said the service was by conscription.

However, to fill the vacancy, it was gathered that the army was planning to re-engage discharged soldiers.

In a memo dated October 16, 2024, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the mechanical corps lamented that huge numbers of soldiers resigned from the unit.

The memo signed by Lt Col A. Muhammed urged all commanding officers to reach out to discharged soldiers in the area of responsibilities.

It partly read: “The deployment of technical manpower is essential for effective and efficient equipment support in the field which is based on trades/expertise of technicians. NAEME is currently experiencing an acute shortage of manpower.

“The dearth of manpower in the Corps is further compounded by the large number of voluntarily discharged soldiers in recent years. Consequently, I am directed to request Comds/COs to reach out to discharged skilled soldiers in their AOR who are willing to be re-engaged to the NA on a contract basis.

“I am to add that names of discharged personnel willing to be re-engaged should be forwarded to this Headquarters NLT 19 Oct 24 using the attached proforma. Grateful to treat and acknowledge.”

Nwachukwu did not pick up calls put through to him and had yet to respond to the message sent to him on the issue.

Speaking on the development, Brig Gen Bashir Adewinbi (retd) said the plan to re-engage retired soldiers was a good idea.

He said, “It is not unusual for retired Army officers to come back and participate in the security architecture of a nation. This practice is common in other advanced countries.

“If there is a plan to implement this here, I believe it is a good idea.”

Asked what could be done to discourage soldiers from resigning from the service, Adewinbi said the military must ensure those enlisted were genuinely interested in the service.

He said, “As of today, the military is well-organised and well-structured. The welfare system is adequate, and the training we received was never a source of complaint. If, as you said, they are leaving in their numbers, it suggests that something might be wrong with recruitment.

“The focus should be on recruiting people who are genuinely interested in serving, rather than those simply looking for employment because they have no other options.

“Those truly dedicated to the military will remain regardless of the challenges or conditions. They won’t abandon their duty. Unfortunately, some people in this country are merely searching for jobs.”

Adewinbi noted that joining the military was about service to the nation.

He said, “But joining the military isn’t just about finding a job; it’s about serving the nation. In our time, we never prioritised welfare. Even when we were young officers, our civilian counterparts were often better off, but we didn’t care. The uniform came with an unquantifiable level of respect, and that respect was more valuable than money.

“Being in the military is a career of integrity, one that commands respect in society. That’s what we valued in those days — not the material benefits, but the honour that came with the service. Honestly, the military remains one of the best organisations to start a career.

“You’re provided accommodation immediately, your salary is never delayed, and the challenges are there for those who seek them. There are many benefits, including opportunities for further education, both civil and military. You can pursue a master’s degree or a BSc while serving. The military provides these opportunities.

“So, I’m surprised that people are leaving the military. Where are they going? What will they do? I can’t understand it.”

Also, Brig Gen Peter Aro (retd) noted that soldiers were resigning from the Army to secure a better future for themselves.

He added that many of them were scared to end up like those before them.

Aro said, “Retirement in the army comes in many forms — whether it’s reaching the mandatory service age, being deemed medically unfit, or voluntary retirement. But for those choosing to retire voluntarily, it’s often not just about leaving on their terms; it’s about survival, about securing a better future before they end up like so many forgotten veterans before them.

“These men and women dedicated their youth, their strength, and in some cases, their lives to safeguard this nation. And what do they have to show for it? Only a privileged few, those who were fortunate enough to interact with civilians learned the ropes of life beyond the barracks.

“They gained the wisdom and exposure needed to find alternative ways to make a living, but most weren’t so lucky.”

He also alluded to the injustice in the system as being responsible for why soldiers were resigning.

Aro said, “We’ve seen this injustice play out time and again in our country. Remember when a former Chief of Army Staff, without strictly following the Terms and Conditions of Service, forced officers into retirement long before they were due?

“These men and women were left adrift, unprepared for life after service, and today, many of them are struggling to survive. It’s clear from the indifference of our political leaders that the welfare of military personnel is not a priority.

“This is especially true for soldiers — those whose daily lives are bound by the discipline and sacrifices of service, leaving little room for the kinds of civilian interactions that might prepare them for life after the Army.

“While police and paramilitary officers often have the chance to mingle, invest, and build civilian connections, our soldiers —the ones who stand on the front lines defending the sovereignty of our nation — return from years of service without the same opportunities.

“Many veterans who risked their lives for this country don’t even have basic life insurance. The poor conditions of service in the Nigerian Army, coupled with the unchecked power of leadership to “hire and fire” at will, have driven many to seek early retirement simply to protect their futures.”

He added, “The tragedy deepens when you consider the highly qualified professionals in the Army — doctors, engineers, and other specialists — who have been forced into early retirement without warning.

“Remember how most permanent secretaries in the civil service, were retired unceremoniously during General Obasanjo’s military rulership, this led to a culture where people manipulated every opportunity to secure their old age. This trend is creeping into the army, where those who gave their all are being cast aside.

“Picture this: veterans who once stood tall in the service of this great nation are now being relegated to remote areas after their service, while modern, luxurious estates are being built and sold to the rich. These are the same men and women who laid their lives on the line for the nation’s peace and security.

“Have you ever heard of a minister of housing building homes for veterans, as we see in other countries? These men and women are humiliated daily, their sacrifices forgotten, and their contributions ignored.

“Some of them are consultants, PhD holders, and highly trained professionals — but what use is that recognition if they are not treated with the dignity they deserve?

“Would it not be better for these heroes to retire early, rejoin civilian life, and thrive alongside their counterparts? Many who left the Army early are better off today than those who stayed until the end, only to be cast aside.

“They leveraged their army training, secured local and international employment, and are now earning good wages and being treated with the respect that their service demands.”

He said one day, there would be few soldiers to defend the country if some of these issues were not checked.

Aro said, “One day when there are too few soldiers left to defend our borders, our political leaders will be forced to wake up. They’ll realise the mistake of neglecting the men and women who protect this nation. A nation is only as strong as the commitment it shows to its military.

“If we truly care about the future of this country, we must overhaul the welfare system and terms of service for our soldiers. Our veterans, those who sacrificed the best years of their lives, must be treated with the honour and fairness they deserve.

“And to the politicians enjoying the fruits of peace and stability today — peace built on the backs of the military — let them remember that they owe their fortunes to the sacrifices of these unsung heroes. It’s time to repay that loyalty.

“How can a man who rose to the rank of General not own a home, living from hand to mouth? It is an absolute shame. We must do better, for the strength of a nation lies not just in its wealth, but in how it cares for those who have given their all to protect it.”

A security expert and the Chief Executive Officer of GoldEye Security Limited, Afolabi Solanke, described the development as long overdue, noting that the retired officers already had experience with handling weapons.

He added that the Senate should pass whatever budget the Army sent to affect the recruitment.

“I think one of the reasons why the Chief of Army Staff is asking for the service of retired servicemen is because of the prowess, the experience and all that.

“So many of them are veterans, they have been to many wars, and many peacekeeping missions. So, they don’t need to be trained again or go to the shooting range, and there are so many procedures that one would have to go through before you are allowed to carry weapons. But these people already know. So, for me, it is long due.

“For me, they should be paid. Whatever budget the army should submit to the Senate, the same way they have been passing all the bills the President has been sending to them, which do not even favour the common man, that same way they should pass that bill. Even if it is N100bn, they should pass it. As long as we would get the results, they should pass it immediately,” he said.

Similarly, Chidi Omeje, also a security expert, commended the idea.

He, however, said the success would depend on how it was coordinated and the motive behind the invitation.

“To me, anything that will add to the impetus to our operation is welcome. I’m very sure that if that is what we are doing, the authorities would have looked at the pros and cons and would have looked at the advantages of activating this reserved list.

“To me, it is not a bad idea, but as I said, it depends on how it is coordinated, it depends on what exactly is the driving force. If it is to give jobs to ‘the boys’, it becomes a different ball game.

“But if it is out of an urgency to add to the boots on the ground, to add eyes to the sky, and then to the waters, you know what I mean, then that’s okay,” he said.

Source: The Punch