Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Zarumman Sokoto, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya, has cautioned that without prioritising the welfare of troops confronting terrorism and criminal activities nationwide, the soldiers may be deprived of the motivation needed to carry out their duties effectively.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Auditorium in Kaduna during the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), marking the Army’s 162nd anniversary, former Chief of Army Staff and Zarumman Sokoto, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya, emphasised that troop morale and performance are directly tied to their welfare and adequate motivation.

Delivering a guest lecture titled “The Soldier First Concept and the Future of the Nigerian Army: Shaping a New Culture for Army Transformation,” Yahaya identified three key areas requiring urgent federal intervention to boost soldiers’ capacity and morale: proper housing, quality education for their children, and access to comprehensive healthcare.

He described the shortage of accommodation as perhaps the most pressing challenge confronting the Nigerian Army, especially for lower-ranked personnel.

“With the persistent rise in insurgency, terrorism, and criminal activity, the Army had to rapidly increase recruitment. Sadly, this expansion wasn’t matched with sufficient housing infrastructure,” he said.

“Many soldiers are now forced to live among civilians in the suburbs or wherever they can find shelter. In some barracks, two or more families are crammed into a single apartment. The consequences of this are deeply troubling.”

Yahaya stressed that the scale of the accommodation deficit exceeds the Army’s internal capacity to resolve and called for a dedicated federal intervention to bridge the housing gap.

Turning to education, he noted that although welfare schools such as Army Children Schools, Command Secondary Schools, and the Nigerian Military School were established by past Army leadership, their quality has declined significantly.

“This has led to a trend where soldiers use their modest earnings to enrol their children in private schools. This reality undermines morale,” he said, urging reforms to restore quality and dignity to the Army’s educational institutions in recognition of the sacrifices made by troops.

Lt. General Faruk Yahaya also drew attention to the state of the Army’s healthcare services. While acknowledging recent improvements, he emphasised the urgent need for specialised infrastructure and personnel.

“It is time to establish dedicated rehabilitation centres to cater to hundreds of long-term patients currently occupying beds in tertiary hospitals,” he said. “The Army should also initiate special recruitment of medical professionals to address critical shortages in specialist care.”

Summing up his vision, Yahaya said:
“The ‘Soldier First’ concept is about placing the soldier’s training, welfare, and well-being at the heart of military transformation. Its success depends not just on the soldier, but more crucially on the commitment of Army leadership.”

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Olatunbosun Oluyede, echoed this vision during the event, affirming that the Nigerian Army is intentionally driving the “Soldier First” doctrine to ensure troops are properly trained, well-equipped, and comprehensively supported — while upholding the Army’s core values of loyalty, service, and integrity.

“This concept reflects the realities of modern warfare, generational expectations, and the vital role of individual soldiers on the battlefield,” Oluyede stated. “It means focusing on responsive leadership, proper training, effective administration, and ensuring every soldier feels valued.”

He noted that under his leadership, the Army is prioritising improved accommodation, healthcare, family support systems, overhauled training programmes, and promotions based strictly on merit.

“A soldier who trusts that his welfare is a genuine concern of his commanders will fight with greater motivation and resilience, even in the face of adversity,” he added.

Oluyede also announced plans to empower junior commanders to promote transparent communication, fairness, and trust within the ranks. “We must keep making leadership decisions that lift morale, enhance resilience, and strengthen our collective effectiveness,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to former Chiefs of Army Staff present at the event — Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd) and Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya — for their ongoing support to the Army.

The NADCEL 2025 lecture formed part of a week-long celebration marking the Nigerian Army’s 162 years of service, with renewed emphasis on professionalism, soldier welfare, and operational readiness in tackling contemporary security challenges.