Retired Major General Rogers Nicholas has made a scathing assessment of Nigeria’s military remuneration structure, describing it as unfair and demoralizing to those risking their lives for the country. In an interview with Arise News Prime Time from 6:14, the former theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole lamented that soldiers are being paid a meagre N50,000 monthly, even as they face death on the battlefield.
“You are paying a soldier 50,000 to go and die because that’s his salary,” Nicholas declared, adding, “Why must a man join the military for 50,000 naira a month salary when even if he’s selling pure water he can make 50,000 a month conveniently?”
Nicholas made the remarks while being asked about national security and the military’s ongoing struggle against insurgency in the northeast, particularly in Plateau and Borno states. His comments come amid persistent attacks on troops by terrorists and growing concerns about low morale within the armed forces.
He argued that the poor pay and conditions discourage Nigerians, particularly from the southeast, from enlisting in the military. “Now you see campaigns in the newspapers that people from the southeast don’t want to join the military… it’s certainly not worth it,” he emphasized.
The statement has stirred strong reactions online, with many echoing Nicholas’s concerns about the safety and welfare of Nigeria’s security personnel. The issue of low military salaries has long been a source of public outcry, particularly in light of the enormous security challenges facing the country.
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