Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd.), has urged the Federal Government to back the ongoing expansion of the Nigerian Army with sustained investment in modern equipment, troop welfare and professional development, warning that military growth alone cannot guarantee improved national security.
Irabor made the call on Tuesday while speaking at the First Daily National Dialogue on Security, organised as part of activities marking First Daily Media Network’s sixth anniversary, in Abuja.
While commending President Bola Tinubu for approving the expansion of Nigerian Army formations, the retired defence chief said the success of the initiative would depend on the country’s willingness to equip and support its military personnel adequately.
“I wish to congratulate Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief, on this development. It is a milestone in a very long journey of combat force generation, development, readiness and efficiency,” he said.
Drawing from his experience as a former military commander, Irabor stressed that modern warfare requires far more than an increase in troop numbers, saying soldiers must be provided with surveillance technology, reliable communication systems, night-fighting capability, protective gear and other combat enablers needed to confront evolving security threats.
His remarks come as Nigeria continues to battle insurgency in the North-East, banditry and mass kidnappings in the North-West, violent attacks in the North-Central and other emerging security threats, prompting successive administrations to increase defence spending and strengthen the Armed Forces through the creation of new formations and operational commands.
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Irabor also said the welfare of military personnel remains central to operational effectiveness, noting that troops perform better when they are confident their families are adequately cared for.
“The family of a soldier serving in a forward operating base needs to know that their housing is secured, that their children can go to school, that medical care is available and that, if the worst happens, their sacrifice will be honoured and supported,” he said.
He further called for greater investment in military education, merit-based promotions, accountability and leadership development, arguing that professionalism must remain the foundation of an effective fighting force.
According to him, troop readiness should not be measured merely by the availability of personnel but by their ability to respond effectively to security threats through proper training, equipment and institutional support.