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Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the acting Chief of Army Staff, voiced his apprehensions on Monday regarding the Nigerian Army’s recruitment strategy, which sees about 15,000 new personnel added each year despite insufficient infrastructure to house them adequately.
Oluyede lamented the drop in resource allocation to the Nigerian Army, stressing that this decline is occurring even as the institution faces the challenge of integrating an increasing number of recruits annually.
Oluyede voiced these concerns during a condolence visit from the Senate Committee on Army, headed by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, where discussions touched on the pressing challenges faced by the military.
He warned that, despite the resolution of the country’s security issues, the lack of sufficient housing could leave soldiers without a place to call home, further straining the military’s capacity.
He said, “I need to reiterate that Nigeria belongs to all of us, and without your support, it would be very difficult for us to secure Nigeria. So I want to really appeal to you, the very eminent personality of Nigeria, to just please support us and make our job very easy so that we can help secure Nigeria as much as possible.
“Well, over time, we’ve had situations where the resources that are attributed to the Nigerian Army keep dwindling. So I think this is a very good forum for me to appeal that maybe in considering next year’s budget, a few very important issues should be noted as they affect the Nigerian Army.
“First, the Nigerian Army. For instance, in the last couple of years, we’ve been recruiting about 15,000 personnel. But I can tell you that not a single support has been given in terms of their accommodation.
“So I can just imagine if at some point if were able to checkmate all the security challenges, where will those people retire to? It’s something that gives me sleepless nights.
“So, I want to appeal to the National Assembly to please consider these very critical issues, as well as other combat enablers that can help us do our job better, especially in areas of technology, so that we can help secure Nigeria.”
In a show of respect, Senator Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, appealed to the Acting Chief of Army Staff to sustain the significant strides made by the late Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, continuing the work that defined his leadership.
He said the Senate had a robust relationship with Lagbaja whom he described as a “very practical officer” and very knowledgeable in military operations.
He said late Lagbaja was “very honest” and, “says it as it is”
Acknowledging the immense contribution of the late COAS, the committee chairman praised his leadership in transforming the Army and securing the nation. In a gesture of continued support, he promised the acting COAS the same trust and resources, encouraging him to uphold and further the progress made.
He also emphasized the importance of integrating cutting-edge technology into military operations to effectively counter terrorism.
