If old soldiers were to reenlist in the Nigerian military today , what would shock them most?
Every now and then, due to the insurgency in Nigeria, we always
hear it in the news that old soldiers might be re-enlisted into the military, at
least for a supervisory role or whatever.
Imagine soldiers from the Nigerian Army 63 NA or ECOMOG veterans
stepping back into active service today. Not for a ceremonial visit, not for a
lecture. Real deployment. Real operations. Real barracks life.
At first glance, they would recognize the discipline, the
command structure, the identity. But it would not take long before something
feels… different.
Not just different. Unfamiliar.
Because today’s military environment is not only shaped by
war. It is shaped by economics, technology, and culture in ways their
generation never experienced.
The Shock Isn’t Just War, It’s Daily Life
Most people assume the biggest surprise would be drones or
modern weapons. That is part of it, yes. But the deeper shock would come from
something closer to home.
The everyday life of the soldier has changed.
1. When Salary No Longer Feels Like Security
Back then, being part of the Nigerian Armed Forces meant
stability. Your salary might not have made you rich, but it carried weight. It
provided structure. It gave dignity.
Today, the reality is more complicated.
With inflation and rising living costs, many soldiers feel
the pressure more than expected. What used to cover basic needs comfortably now
stretches thin. Despite the increase in salary, inflation eat deep into personel salaries and allowances.
- food
- family
responsibilities
- transportation
- personal
upkeep
For a returning veteran, this would not just be surprising.
It would be deeply concerning.
Because the uniform used to come with a certain financial
confidence. That confidence is not as strong as it once was.
