The Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, has called for improved healthcare delivery and welfare systems for Nigerian Army personnel, stressing the need for coordinated administrative frameworks and inter-agency cooperation. He made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with Azeeze Afolayan, managing director and CEO of Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML), who paid a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters. The discussion, detailed in a statement by acting director of army public relations Appolonia Anele, centred on modernising medical services to match the demands of current military operations. Shaibu underscored the importance of sustaining both physical and mental readiness among troops and affirmed the army's responsibility to veterans, stating, "Retirement often comes with socio-economic challenges. The man must survive after years of dedicated service. Our responsibility to personnel does not end when they leave the colours."
Afolayan advocated for standard operating procedures in military medical administration, citing the need for accurate data management and structured processes. He proposed optimising secondary care providers to expand access to specialised treatment, particularly for troops in operational areas, and highlighted the cost-effectiveness of leveraging existing facilities.
Waidi Shaibu's public emphasis on post-retirement survival signals a rare acknowledgment of the army's long-standing welfare gaps. When the COAS feels compelled to state that veterans "must survive," it reveals systemic neglect despite years of service. For Nigerian soldiers, this translates to uncertain futures even after risking their lives in active duty. The real test lies in whether SOPs and healthcare plans move beyond statements to tangible support.
