Ribadu Proposes Reintegration of Military Veterans to Bolster National Security

Ribadu Proposes Reintegration of Military Veterans to Bolster National Security The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has proposed the creation of a National Veteran Security Initiative aimed at integrating retired military officers into Nigeria’s evolving security framework. Speaking on Friday night in Abuja during the 50th-anniversary celebration of the 18th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Ribadu stressed the need for a more inclusive approach to national security—one that actively involves veterans, communities, and state actors. Delivering a keynote lecture titled “Veterans as Significant National Assets,” the NSA underscored the importance of harnessing the experience and skills of retired military personnel in intelligence gathering, training, and peacebuilding. “Security is not just the job of soldiers and police; it is everybody’s business,” Ribadu said. “Veterans are being called back—not to the battlefield, but to the strategy room, to the classrooms, and into their communities. At a time when security threats are no longer limited to traditional battlefields, Nigeria is turning to those who once stood at the front lines. You are not just assets to be admired, but partners to be engaged, advisors to be consulted, and leaders to be followed.” He described the veterans as a “strategic national asset,” highlighting their service history in civil conflicts, counter-insurgency campaigns, and peacekeeping missions around the world. As part of the proposed initiative, Ribadu announced plans to establish a comprehensive national database of veteran expertise, which will serve as a cornerstone for their structured integration into Nigeria’s modern security ecosystem.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, applauded the proposal and commended members of the NDA 18th Regular Course for upholding the ideals of patriotism and service. He assured the gathering of the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of veterans. Chairman of the event, retired Major General Ike Nwachukwu—who served as Adjutant and Commander of Course 18 in 1975—commended the group’s enduring loyalty and contribution to national development. Nwachukwu, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Military Governor of Imo State, also paid tribute to Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, a distinguished member of Course 18 and the 22nd Chief of Army Staff, for his leadership in counterinsurgency operations and expansion of military formations across Nigeria between 2010 and 2014. Speaking at the event, Lt. Gen. Ihejirika advocated for the introduction of compulsory military training for all Nigerians as a tool to foster patriotism, discipline, and national unity. The Royal Father of the Day, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar—also a member of Course 18—called for sustained national devotion and urged veterans to lead by example in promoting civic responsibility. President of the 18th Regular Course, retired Air Commodore Isaac Oguntuyi, disclosed that only 47 of the original 149 cadets who commenced training on June 30, 1975, are still alive. He paid glowing tributes to Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and Lt. Gen. Ihejirika, describing them as cornerstones of the course’s enduring legacy. The celebration drew several high-ranking dignitaries, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; representatives of the Minister of Defence; and top military service chiefs.

By PRNigeria