A total of 1,008 soldiers have resigned from the Nigerian Army over the past four years, according to recent reports. This figure is based on media accounts of resignations from 2020 to 2024.
In 2023 alone, the Nigerian Army approved the retirement of at least 59 soldiers. August of this year saw 196 soldiers leaving the service, while 261 soldiers resigned in 2022. In 2021, 127 soldiers exited the force, and in 2020, 365 soldiers resigned.
Notably, many of these soldiers had not yet reached the official retirement age or completed their mandatory years of service before resigning.
In a disengagement letter dated August 23 and signed by Brigadier O.H. Musa, the 196 soldiers who resigned this year were instructed to begin their terminal leave on November 1, with their official disengagement date set for November 30. The letter stated, “In accordance with the provisions of References A and B, the COAS, via Reference C, approved the voluntary discharge of the above-named soldier and 195 others listed in Annex A. The soldiers are to proceed on terminal leave with effect from 1 November 2024, while their disengagement date takes effect from 30 November 2024.”
The letter also directed the relevant units to ensure that the discharging soldiers complete and submit all required forms by September 6, 2024.
Responding to the high turnover rate, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, emphasized that service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary, not by conscription. He explained that some soldiers left due to medical reasons, while others resigned for personal reasons.
“Though I do not have the exact details of yearly retirements or discharge of personnel currently, I can say that officers and soldiers are processed for retirement or discharge by time, based on laid down criteria and provisions of the terms and conditions of service of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, especially those who have served out their mandatory 35 years of service,” said Nwachukwu. “A few retire or discharge on medical grounds, while very few seek discharge voluntarily for personal reasons. Retiring or discharging from active service is, therefore, not a strange phenomenon, as this is also obtainable in other local and international security and civil organisations. I must add quickly that service in the Nigerian Army is not by conscription.”
