FG Approves Pension Payment for Soldiers Who Fought on Nigerian Side during the Civil War

The Federal Government has announced plans to enroll retired soldiers who fought on the Nigerian side during the Civil War into the military pension payroll. This decision comes after over 40 years of protests and petitions from the retirees demanding their inclusion in the military pension payroll.

According to Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, 63 Nigerian Army veterans who were not initially captured in the Military Pensions Board payroll have now been considered. This move aligns with previous efforts to integrate their Biafran counterparts, who were earlier granted similar benefits.

Durowaiye-Herberts expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the Ministry of Defence for their role in facilitating this development. He also commended the government’s efforts to ensure timely and consistent pension payments, introduce a new approach to veterans’ engagement, and establish a ministerial standing committee to bridge the gap between the government, the Ministry of Defence, and the Military Pensions Board.

Phillip Babawande, national coordinator of the soldiers who fought on the government side during the Civil War, also welcomed the news, urging the authorities to expedite the verification process to ensure payments commence without delay. “This will bring much-needed relief and joy to our members, many of whom have endured years of struggle,” he said.