Soldier Soja Boy revealed he and fellow troops were earning N71,000 monthly before February 2025, a sum he described as insufficient for basic survival. In an interview on the HonestBunch podcast, he disclosed that soldiers often pay out of pocket for essential gear, including boots, uniforms, and bulletproof vests. He highlighted the physical and emotional toll of prolonged deployments, often without adequate rest or rotation. The soldier did not specify his unit or command, but his account adds to growing public concern over welfare conditions in the Nigerian military.
A soldier earning N71,000 while buying his own bulletproof vest exposes a severe gap in military logistics and welfare planning. Soja Boy's revelation suggests that frontline troops are expected to serve under extreme personal financial strain. If basic equipment depends on individual soldiers' pockets, operational readiness is being compromised. This reality undermines both morale and national security effectiveness.
