In order to reposition military veterans for better welfare and national significance, the Ministry of Defense claims to be closely collaborating with the Nigerian Legion’s leadership and coordinating its actions.
Retired Rear Adm., Bello Matawalle’s Special Assistant on Technical Matters, represented the Minister of State for Defense. This was stated by Atiku Abdulkadir on Wednesday during the Nigerian Legion’s 2026 National Council Meeting in Abuja.
According to Matawalle, the ministry and the minister of defense fully back every initiative being carried out by the national chairperson of the Legion.
He claims that the ministry is developing a systematic audit and placement mechanism and has discovered substantial skilled capacity among retired employees and those approaching retirement.
According to him, the goal was to accurately record retirees’ skills and help them find employment after their service years.
“We are making an effort to plan so that we can conduct an audit and assign retirees.
“The ministry plans to support placement for skilled retirees even after their service life is over,” he stated.
In order to increase employability and self-reliance, Matawalle stated, efforts were also being made to strengthen the skills and certifications of staff members prior to their disengagement.
He said the minister continuously investigated complaints to guarantee timely resolution and that salaries, pensions, and other emoluments were being paid on a regular basis.
He acknowledged the gaps in understanding regarding scholarships for fallen hero orphans and the difficulties retirees experience finding housing, but characterized them as ongoing efforts.
In order to guarantee appropriate assistance, he said, the ministry was assembling a list of qualified recipients and coordinating with the services and Defense Headquarters.
“It is a continuous process that will keep closing the gap,” he stated.
In response to requests for veterans’ agricultural assistance, Matawalle stated that the ministry would first audit all states’ interested retirees.
While acknowledging that the procedure required patience and preparation, he stated that cooperation with state governors will be investigated to assist veterans who were farming.
He claimed that changes have greatly shortened processing times for pension administration.
He claims that, in contrast to earlier times when delays were frequent, documentation now starts 90 days prior to retirement to guarantee pension payments start soon following disengagement.
Though some details were kept under wraps, the minister also revealed that talks were still going on about how to effectively incorporate the Legion into Nigeria’s security structure.
He reiterated the ministry’s dedication to bolstering veterans’ well-being and maintaining their role in the advancement of the country.
Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), reiterated his commitment to bolstering veterans’ care, inclusion, and institutional development in his remarks, as represented by Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Williams, the Director of Veteran Affairs.
According to Oluyede, the Legion’s widespread presence throughout the federation demonstrated its ongoing significance, especially in terms of community involvement, mentoring, and assistance for injured veterans and the surviving family members of fallen heroes.
The six geographical zones will see the start of the CDS’s Skill Acquisition Training for Veterans (SAT-V) program in March 2026.
According to him, the program was created to improve veterans’ quality of life and give them the necessary tools to deal with the challenges of the modern economy.
He promised to continue working with the Legion on projects that will enhance the welfare of veterans and their contribution to the country.
