The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has stressed that sustainable welfare for military veterans must be driven by deliberate policy frameworks, predictable funding and coordinated institutional support.
Shaibu made this known on February 18, 2026, while receiving the Chairperson of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion, Ms Grace Morenike Henry, during a courtesy visit at Army Headquarters, Abuja.
He said the strength of a professional military extends beyond operational success to how it treats its veterans, noting that officers and soldiers who served in demanding theatres across the country deserve structured post-service support systems.
The COAS observed that leading militaries worldwide have institutionalised comprehensive veterans’ welfare schemes backed by legislation and guaranteed funding.
He urged Nigeria to strengthen its existing frameworks to ensure smooth transition for retirees into civilian life without socio-economic hardship.
Describing veterans as strategic national assets, Shaibu encouraged them to participate actively in politics, governance and policy advocacy, citing their leadership and security expertise as valuable to national development.
He also called for constructive engagement with the National Assembly of Nigeria to promote legislation that enhances veterans’ welfare. According to him, many retired personnel possess administrative and technical skills that can be redeployed across public and private sectors.
Lt. Gen. Shaibu further encouraged veterans to document their experiences to preserve institutional memory and contribute to national discourse.
Earlier, Henry highlighted structural challenges facing retirees, including low public awareness of the Legion’s mandate and inconsistent attention to veterans’ issues outside the annual Armed Forces Remembrance activities.
She also decried the absence of a dedicated budget line for veterans’ affairs and advocated the creation of a fully funded ministry to coordinate veteran-focused policies.
