Soldiers’ welfare must be top priority to win terror fight — ex COAS

 

Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Zarumman Sokoto, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya, has warned that unless the welfare of troops battling terrorism and criminality across the country is made a top priority, the soldiers may lack the necessary motivation to fight effectively.

Speaking at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Auditorium in Kaduna, Yahaya, who delivered the guest lecture at this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL 2025) marking the Army’s 162nd anniversary, said the morale and performance of soldiers rested fundamentally on their welfare and proper motivation.

His lecture was titled: “The Soldier first concept and the future of the Nigerian Army: Shaping a New Culture for Army Transformation.”

According to Yahaya, three critical areas require urgent intervention by the Federal Government to enhance the capabilities and morale of soldiers: accommodation, education for their children, and comprehensive healthcare.

“Perhaps, the greatest welfare challenge confronting the Nigerian Army is inadequate accommodation for its personnel, especially soldiers,” he said.

Because of rising threats of insurgency, terrorism and widespread criminality over the years, the Army had to expand its intake massively.

“Unfortunately, this was not matched by a corresponding increase in housing. Many soldiers now live among civilians in the suburbs or wherever they can find, and in some barracks, two or more families share a single accommodation. The ills that come with this are better imagined.”

Yahaya stressed that the enormity of the accommodation gap was beyond the Army’s capacity to address alone, calling for a special intervention by the Federal Government.

On the education of soldiers’ children, he noted that while successive Army chiefs had set up welfare schools — including Army Children Schools, Command Schools and the Nigerian Military School — the quality had declined over time.

“This is why more soldiers are sending their children to private schools, using their meagre salaries. It is impacting morale negatively,” he said, urging reforms to ensure the Army’s schools provide quality education befitting the sacrifices of troops.

Yahaya also highlighted the Army’s medical services, acknowledging significant improvements but calling for even more. “It is time to establish rehabilitation centres to handle hundreds of long-term patients who occupy beds in tertiary hospitals. Likewise, the Army should embark on special recruitment of medical staff to fill gaps in specialist care.”

He summed up the vision by saying: “The Soldier First concept emphasises prioritising the soldier — his training, well-being and needs. Its success depends on the soldier himself and, more importantly, on Army leadership.”

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Olatunbosun Oluyede, said the Nigerian Army was deliberately pushing the “Soldier First” culture to ensure troops were better trained, equipped and cared for, while also demanding loyalty to core values.

According to Oluyede: “This concept takes into account the evolving battlespace, generational warfare and the role of the individual soldier in operations. It means prioritising the training, equipping, responsive leadership and effective administration of our troops, so they can carry out their duties optimally.”

The COAS added that under his leadership, the Army was paying special attention to quality housing, healthcare and family support systems, alongside reformed training curricula and merit-based promotions.

“A soldier who knows his welfare is the priority of his commanders and Chief of Army Staff will naturally be more motivated and resilient, even in adversity,” he said.

Oluyede disclosed plans to empower junior commanders to foster open communication without fear, ensure fairness and build trust within the ranks. “Our duty is to keep making decisions that boost morale, strengthen resilience and enhance collective mission effectiveness,” he said.

He also thanked two former Army Chiefs present at the event — Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd) and Lt. Gen. Yahaya — for their continued support to the Army family.

The NADCEL 2025 lecture was part of a week-long series of activities to celebrate the Army’s long-standing service to the nation, with a renewed commitment to deepen professionalism and soldier welfare in tackling current security threats.

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