The Ministry of Defence has reaffirmed its commitment to coordinating the activities of the Nigerian Legion and collaborating closely with its leadership to reposition military veterans for better welfare and enhanced national relevance.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, made this known on Wednesday at the 2026 National Council Meeting of the Nigerian Legion in Abuja.
He was represented at the event by his Special Assistant on Technical Matters, retired Rear Adm. Atiku Abdulkadir.
Matawalle stated that all initiatives currently being pursued by the Legion’s National Chairperson have the full backing of the Minister of Defence and the ministry.
He explained that the ministry had identified a strong pool of skilled personnel among retired officers and those approaching retirement and was developing a structured audit and placement framework to harness their expertise.
According to him, the goal is to comprehensively document the competencies of retirees and support their employment opportunities after leaving active service.
“We are trying to organise in such a way that we will have an audit and placement for retirees.
“Even beyond service life, the ministry intends to support placement for skilled retirees,” he said.
The minister added that measures were underway to provide personnel with additional training and certifications prior to retirement to boost their employability and encourage self-reliance.
He noted that salaries, pensions and other entitlements were being paid consistently, adding that the minister regularly reviews complaints to ensure timely resolution.
Addressing concerns about scholarships for orphans of fallen heroes and housing challenges faced by retirees, Matawalle acknowledged that gaps remain but described the situation as work in progress.
He disclosed that the ministry was compiling a register of eligible beneficiaries and working with the Defence Headquarters and the various services to ensure appropriate support.
“It is an ongoing thing, and it will continue to reduce the gap,” he said.
On requests for agricultural support for veterans, Matawalle said the ministry would begin by auditing interested retirees across the states.
He explained that partnerships with state governors would be considered to assist veterans involved in farming, noting that the initiative would require careful planning and patience.
Speaking on pension administration, he said reforms had led to significant improvements in processing timelines.
He explained that documentation now begins 90 days before retirement to enable pension payments to commence shortly after disengagement, unlike in the past when delays were frequent.
The minister also revealed that discussions were ongoing on ways to better integrate the Nigerian Legion into the country’s security architecture, although some aspects of the plan remain classified.
He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to enhancing veterans’ welfare and sustaining their contributions to national development.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, represented by the Director of Veteran Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Williams, reaffirmed commitment to strengthening veterans’ welfare, inclusion and institutional development.
Oluyede noted that the Legion’s nationwide presence highlights its continued relevance, particularly in community engagement, mentorship and support for disabled veterans as well as dependents of fallen heroes.
The CDS announced that a Skill Acquisition Training for Veterans (SAT-V) programme would commence in March 2026 across the six geopolitical zones.
He said the initiative was designed to enhance the well-being of veterans and equip them with relevant skills to navigate the current economic realities.
He pledged sustained partnership with the Legion in future initiatives aimed at improving veterans’ welfare and national contribution.
