A retired Nigerian Army officer, Colonel Nasiru Salami (retd.), aged 76, has raised serious concerns over the poor treatment of military retirees by the authorities.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief during the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Colonel Salami shared his frustrations about unfulfilled promises and unpaid benefits owed to veterans like him.
The septuagenarian revealed that despite assurances from the government, he and his fellow civil war veterans have yet to receive the war bonuses promised decades ago.
Reflecting on his service, Salami said, “We are asking for war bonus, those of us who fought the war. I retired in December 1983 and they promised us heaven and earth that they would give us our war bonus, but up till now, we have not seen it.”
He urged the government to address the situation and improve the welfare of ex-soldiers who sacrificed much for the country.
Colonel Salami noted that the Nigerian Legion in Lagos alone comprises over 24,000 members, many of whom share his plight. Despite their contributions during the civil war from 1967 to 1970, the promises made to them remain unfulfilled more than 50 years later.
When asked about his perspective on military service, Salami disclosed that he would not recommend joining the Nigerian Army to his children.
He stated, “For now, I will never recommend any of my children to join the Nigerian Army. I have two graduates now and I said to them: ‘Never you think of going to join the army. If you want to join, maybe the Navy or the Air Force. I’ve not been there, but I’ve been seeing them and I’ve been hearing about them because they are treated better.’”
Salami recounted his military journey, from his enlistment in October 1967 to being deployed to the Biafra war front after just six weeks of training.
Despite suffering severe injuries, including nearly losing his right foot, he returned to the battlefield to complete his mission. Now serving as the Secretary of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos Chapter, he continues to advocate for better recognition and support for veterans.
