Col. Nasiru Salami, a Nigerian Civil War veteran, has expressed disappointment over the treatment of military retirees and advised his children against joining the Nigerian Army. He highlighted the lack of post-service support and urged the government to fulfill its promises to veterans, improving their welfare and recognition.
Col. Nasiru Salami (retd), a veteran of the Nigerian Civil War and Secretary of the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Legion, has expressed strong reservations about encouraging his children to join the Nigerian Army. Speaking on Channels Television during the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the 76-year-old shared his experience from the Biafra conflict, where he was deployed to the front lines after just six weeks of training, spending 11 months in combat.
Salami, who sustained severe injuries during the war, including nearly losing his right foot, emphasized that despite his dedication, the military’s failure to adequately support retirees has left him disillusioned. He revealed that his experiences, alongside the lack of post-service benefits, have led him to advise his children to consider alternatives to the army, recommending the Navy or Air Force instead, which he believes offer better treatment for their personnel.
Salami also criticized the neglect faced by civil war veterans, many of whom, like him, have not received promised war bonuses or pensions. He stressed that despite over 24,000 members in the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Legion, the government has not fulfilled its promises of support. Salami called on the authorities to honor their commitments to veterans and improve their welfare, advocating for better living conditions and recognition of their sacrifices.
