Nigerian army calls on ex-soldiers to return amid manpower shortage
The Nigerian Army is experiencing a severe shortage of soldiers, especially in its Mechanical Engineering Corps, due to a rising number of voluntary retirements.
Reports indicate that more than 1,008 soldiers have resigned in the last four years, with 196 leaving in August 2024 alone.
In response, the PUNCH Newspaper reports that the Mechanical Engineering Corps recently issued a memo, dated October 16, 2024, urging commanders to reach out to skilled ex-soldiers who might be interested in returning on a contract basis. Lt. Col. A. Muhammed, who signed the memo, emphasized the need for experienced technical staff to support equipment maintenance and operations in the field.
The memo reads, “The deployment of technical manpower is essential for effective and efficient equipment support in the field, which is based on trades/expertise of technicians. NAEME is currently experiencing an acute shortage of manpower. The dearth of manpower in the Corps is further compounded by the large number of voluntarily discharged soldiers in recent years.”
The memo further instructed commanding officers to compile lists of former soldiers willing to rejoin by October 19, 2024, to help address this gap, adding, “Grateful to treat and acknowledge.”
Retired Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinbi supported this move, saying that it’s common in many countries for retired soldiers to return to service when manpower is low.
He also stressed the importance of recruiting individuals who are genuinely dedicated to military life to prevent further resignations.
“It is not unusual for retired Army officers to come back and participate in the security architecture of a nation. This practice is common in other advanced countries. If there is a plan to implement this here, I believe it is a good idea,” he told The PUNCH.
Adewinbi added, “As of today, the military is well-organized and well-structured. The welfare system is adequate, and the training we received was never a source of complaint. If they are leaving in their numbers, it suggests that something might be wrong with recruitment. The focus should be on recruiting people who are genuinely interested in serving, rather than those simply looking for employment.”
Retired Brig. Gen. Peter Aro pointed to underlying issues driving soldiers to leave early, stressing limited post-service support and systemic injustices within the military.
He explained that many soldiers feel compelled to leave early to secure better futures due to the lack of support structures after retirement.
Aro explained, “Retirement in the army comes in many forms — whether it’s reaching the mandatory service age, being deemed medically unfit, or voluntary retirement. But for those choosing to retire voluntarily, it’s often about survival, about securing a better future before they end up like so many forgotten veterans before them. These men and women dedicated their youth, their strength, and in some cases, their lives to safeguard this nation. And what do they have to show for it?”
He also mentioned that systemic injustices discourage soldiers from staying in service. “We’ve seen this injustice play out time and again in our country,” Aro noted, referring to past instances where officers were pushed into early retirement. “Many are left unprepared for life after service and today struggle to survive. It’s clear from the indifference of our political leaders that the welfare of military personnel is not a priority.”
He continued, “While police and paramilitary officers often have the chance to mingle, invest, and build civilian connections, our soldiers — the ones who stand on the front lines defending the sovereignty of our nation — return from years of service without the same opportunities. Many veterans who risked their lives for this country don’t even have basic life insurance.”
Aro concluded that poor conditions within the Army, coupled with unchecked leadership power, have left many soldiers with no choice but to retire early to secure their futures.
