Military veterans have advocated for improved welfare to meet economic realities after years of service to Nigeria.
They made the demand at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day on November 11, 2023.
The veterans who fought the Nigerian Civil War but exited after 10 years and above demanded inclusion in the federal government’s pension scheme.
In a letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by a group of veterans under the aegis of ‘Able Retired Soldiers’ signed by the national coordinator, Cpl Babawande Philip and national secretary, Cpl Okewuyi Bayo, they said some members of 63 Nigerian Army intake have not been paid pension or any other benefits after over four decades of the end of Nigerian Civil War.
“On behalf of the ex-soldiers, especially the 63NA intake that fought in the civil war to keep Nigeria united, we write to Your Excellency to inform you about our predicament. Over forty years after the Civil War, many of us have not enjoyed the benefit of being placed on Military Pension Roll talk less of being paid our pension. We have aired our grievances through different mediums to no avail,” he said.
The soldiers voluntarily exited the service after 10 years but less than 15 years in line with Circular No 4 of 1977.
However, Decree 102 of 1974 upon “misinterpretation” barred soldiers who served 10 years and less than 15 from pension.
