Members of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s (NDA ) 35 Regular Course have come together to call for enhanced welfare measures for retired personnel across various security agencies. The graduates are urging a comprehensive review of the Armed Forces Pension Act to address the challenges faced by retired members of the security forces.
Speaking during the 40th-anniversary celebration of the course in Abuja on Saturday night, Air Cdre Emmanuel Golit (retd), the immediate past president of the association, highlighted the potential risks of neglecting retired security personnel. Golit emphasized that the acquired skills of these retirees could become a potential tool in the hands of criminal groups if they are left to contend with issues such as hunger and neglect.
“The military, anywhere is the foundation of the nation-states. If there’s no security in any country, nothing thrives. There will be no industry, no parliament, nothing will work,” Golit stated. He stressed the importance of government intervention in ensuring the welfare of retired security personnel, preventing them from potentially selling their skills to non-state actors.
Golit urged the government to periodically review the welfare conditions for members of the armed forces and other security agencies. He drew attention to the need for an update to the Nigerian Armed Forces Act, which has remained unchanged since the 1970s, to address the evolving needs of retired personnel.
“In other climes, you don’t stay in the armed forces for up to 10 years or you’re retired and you are abandoned. They must look for somewhere to fix you so that you can continue to help your country,” Golit added, highlighting the global practice of involving retirees in various forms of government service after their military careers.
The newly elected president of the association, Air Cdre Danladi Bausa (retd), expressed gratitude to the Chief Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, for their efforts in improving the welfare of veterans. However, challenges persist, with groups like the Coalition for Concerned Veterans and the Civil War veterans continuing to demand enhanced welfare, pensions, and gratuities.