Nigeria cannot win the war against insecurity with a demoralised military

No nation can successfully confront insecurity when those entrusted with defending it are poorly motivated, inadequately rewarded and increasingly viewed with suspicion by the very citizens they are sworn to protect. Nigeria’s declining military enlistment is therefore not merely a recruitment challenge; it is a reflection of deeper structural failures that threaten the nation’s national security architecture.

The revelation that many young Nigerians are reluctant to join the Armed Forces because of poor remuneration, inadequate welfare, high casualty rates and a growing trust deficit should concern every policymaker. At a time when terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent criminality continue to stretch the nation’s security resources, Nigeria can ill afford a shrinking pool of willing and capable recruits.

While the recent increase in the monthly salary of entry-level soldiers to about N100,000 represents an acknowledgement that welfare matters, it falls far short of the realities confronting today’s economy. With inflation and food prices at historic highs, such earnings barely sustain a small household, let alone compensate for a profession that demands extraordinary sacrifice.

“Moreover, a widening disconnect between the military and society weakens national cohesion. Armed forces derive their legitimacy not merely from constitutional authority but from the trust and confidence of the people they defend. Once that trust erodes, recruitment becomes harder, intelligence gathering suffers and national security itself becomes more fragile.”

A soldier’s duty is unlike most other occupations. Those on the frontlines willingly leave behind their families, endure harsh terrains and confront enemies whose sole objective is to kill them. Expecting such men and women to maintain high morale on wages that scarcely cover basic necessities sends the wrong message about how the nation values their service.

Indeed, remuneration alone does not explain the declining enthusiasm for military careers. Perhaps even more troubling is the growing perception that military service has become a journey with uncertain rewards but very predictable dangers. Reports of troops being ambushed, military bases overrun and senior officers killed in combat have understandably created anxiety among young Nigerians and their families. Every fallen soldier represents not only a national loss but also a painful reminder to prospective recruits that patriotism increasingly carries an unacceptable personal cost.

This fear is particularly evident in parts of the South-East and other regions where historical grievances, memories of conflict and lingering distrust of federal institutions continue to influence public attitudes toward military service. When communities perceive that the armed forces do not adequately represent the nation’s diversity or believe they have been deployed unfairly during internal security operations, rebuilding confidence becomes considerably more difficult.

The implications are quite clear. A military struggling to attract quality recruits inevitably faces manpower shortages, increased operational fatigue and mounting pressure on serving personnel. Soldiers are deployed for longer periods without sufficient rotation, affecting both physical endurance and psychological well-being. Recruitment gaps also reduce the diversity of skills available to modern armed forces, particularly in areas such as cyber warfare, intelligence, engineering, medicine and technology.

Moreover, a widening disconnect between the military and society weakens national cohesion. Armed forces derive their legitimacy not merely from constitutional authority but from the trust and confidence of the people they defend. Once that trust erodes, recruitment becomes harder, intelligence gathering suffers and national security itself becomes more fragile.

The ideal situation should be fundamentally different, as military service must once again become an honourable and attractive career, not because of propaganda but because the institution genuinely rewards professionalism, competence and sacrifice. Soldiers deserve salaries that reflect prevailing economic realities, comprehensive health care, decent housing, modern equipment, life insurance and guaranteed support for families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice.

Equally important is investment in battlefield superiority. Better intelligence, improved surveillance technology, modern equipment and superior operational planning should minimise casualties and increase mission success. Young Nigerians are far more likely to enlist in an institution perceived more capable of protecting its personnel than one frequently associated with avoidable losses.

The military must also strengthen public engagement by showcasing the breadth of careers available within the Armed Forces. Beyond combat roles, opportunities exist in medicine, engineering, law, aviation, information technology, finance, logistics, education and the creative arts. Such awareness can broaden recruitment while dispelling the misconception that every soldier is destined for the battlefield.

Also, restoring confidence requires more than higher salaries. It demands institutional reforms that promote professionalism, merit-based promotion, transparency, ethnic inclusiveness and respect for human rights. Nigerians must see the Armed Forces not as instruments of coercion but as truly national institutions committed to protecting every citizen without prejudice.

The fight against insecurity cannot be won with weapons alone. It requires motivated personnel, public trust and unwavering political commitment. If Nigeria expects its young people to risk their lives for the nation, the nation must first demonstrate that it values theirs.