During the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and Appeal Fund Launch at the State House in Abuja, the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has contributed ₦500 million to the Nigerian Armed Forces and commended their dedication to tackling Security issues across the country, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, made the Donation announcement, emphasised the federal commitment to veterans and their families. President Tinubu emphasised the vital contribution of the Armed Forces in ensuring Nigeria’s stability, noting that the government’s reforms and economic policies would be fruitless without a secure environment.
He appreciated the military’s dedication to the country, recognising them as the primary defence against the nation’s urgent security threats. Tinubu reaffirmed to the military that the Welfare of its members is a top concern for the government, emphasising the vital role played by those who have given their lives for the sake of national cohesion, security, and development. He further noted the administration’s commitment to honouring the ideals and sacrifices of these heroes while working to establish a legacy that strengthens national unity and prosperity.
Badaru conveyed gratitude to the government for its support.
Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru lauded President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to current and former military members and the families of those who have lost their lives in service. He stressed that the emblem’s ceremony represents optimism and serves as a reminder of society’s shared responsibility to assist the Armed Forces and their loved ones. Badaru described Armed Forces Remembrance Day as a time for remembrance and an invitation for proactive engagement. He emphasised that initiating the Appeal Fund would play a vital role in enhancing the well-being of veterans and their families, facilitating crucial services such as medical care, academic opportunities, and financial assistance.
Abdulmalik Jibril, a retired Major General and the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion expressed gratitude for the government’s extraordinary contribution. He emphasised that this support would prevent the families of fallen military members from financial hardship. Jibril affirmed that this donation would benefit veterans’ families, enabling them to uphold their dignity and avoid poverty. Despite the celebrations, worries regarding the slow disbursement of Insurance benefits for deceased and retired military members emerged. The Senate Committee on Code of Conduct, Ethics, and Public Petitions deemed such delays intolerable, especially drawing attention to the struggles of 174 families of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel who are still experiencing delays in receiving their benefits.
More than 174 military families face delays in receiving their benefits.
In a notable instance, Master Warrant Officer Rukayat Ishola, widow of the late Warrant Officer Daramola Taiwo, approached the Senate with a complaint, claiming her husband’s insurance benefits had been wrongfully denied since he died in 2016. Ishola described enduring harsh treatment from some NAF personnel, leading her to go AWOL to avoid perilous circumstances. She claimed that NAF officials refused to allow her child to utilise the available scholarship opportunities. Wing Commander Mohammed Saleh, the Director of Legal Services for the NAF, denied Ishola’s allegations of delays. He emphasised that prior regulations stipulated that only the offspring of service members who passed away on active duty were qualified for scholarships, indicating that Ishola’s deceased spouse may not have fulfilled this requirement.
Saleh insisted that NAF had not discriminated against Ishola but followed policies only updated in 2021 to include broader definitions of active duty. In reaction to the situation, the Senate Committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, voiced its discontent with Saleh’s explanation and criticised the extended postponement of benefit disbursements, particularly since certain claims have been pending for nearly ten years. The committee declared it would prepare an official letter to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, requesting the prompt release of the petitioner’s insurance benefits.
Related Article: Nigerian Army Faces Delay in Wage Payment
Furthermore, the Senate recommended that Ishola’s child be enrolled in NAF’s scholarship program and called for measures to facilitate her honourable exit from the Air Force with the corresponding Retirement benefits. Prominent figures such as Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Executive Council, military leaders, and heads of various security and paramilitary organisations attended the event. This esteemed attendance highlighted the government’s dedication to tackling the welfare and support requirements of the nation’s veterans and active-duty personnel.