On the 2025 Armed Forces’ Remembrance Day, retired Colonel Nasiru Salami, a 76-year-old Nigerian Civil War veteran, voiced deep concerns about the treatment of retired military personnel. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Salami recounted his journey in the Nigerian Army, from his enlistment in 1967 to his harrowing experience on the battlefield during the Biafran War.
The veteran, who now serves as the Secretary of the Nigerian Legion, Lagos Chapter, lamented the neglect of war veterans and retirees by the government. “We are asking for war bonuses,” he said. “It’s been over 50 years since we were promised these, but we’ve seen nothing.”
Salami, who suffered severe injuries during the war, disclosed that the lack of adequate post-service welfare has led him to discourage his children from joining the army. “I told my two graduates never to consider joining the Nigerian Army. Maybe the Navy or Air Force, where I hear conditions are better,” he explained.
He also criticized unpaid pensions and poor post-retirement packages, highlighting the plight of over 24,000 members of the Nigerian Legion in Lagos. Salami appealed to the government to fulfill its promises, noting that better welfare would honor the sacrifices of veterans and inspire future generations to serve.
