— By: Dr. Philip B. Olusola
Lead City University, Ibadan.
In recent times, Nigerians have celebrated numerous successes recorded by the nation’s security forces against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, oil thieves, and other violent criminal groups. Every successful rescue operation, every criminal network dismantled, and every community reclaimed from the grip of violence is rightly welcomed as a victory for the nation. Yet, beyond the headlines and official commendations lies a question that deserves far greater attention: what becomes of the men and women whose courage makes these victories possible?
The answer to this question says much about a nation’s values and its understanding of security. While Nigeria readily applauds the heroism of its security personnel, institutional recognition has not always matched the magnitude of their sacrifices. Too often, the applause fades while many serving personnel continue to grapple with welfare challenges, injured officers struggle with rehabilitation, and families of fallen heroes endure difficult circumstances long after the ceremonies have ended.
This is not simply a welfare issue. It is a national security imperative.
The strength of any country’s security architecture is measured not only by the sophistication of its weapons or the quality of its intelligence but also by the motivation, professionalism, and morale of the men and women entrusted with defending it. No military, police force, or security agency can consistently perform at its best if those who serve feel that their sacrifices are insufficiently recognised or inadequately rewarded.
Organizational Support Theory offers a useful perspective in this regard. The theory suggests that people are more committed, productive, and resilient when they believe their organisation genuinely values their contributions and cares about their well-being. This principle applies just as strongly to national security institutions. Security personnel who know that their nation stands firmly behind them are more likely to remain motivated, disciplined, and committed, even under the most demanding operational conditions.
Nigeria’s security personnel have earned that confidence through years of extraordinary sacrifice. From the long-running counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East to operations against banditry in the North-West, anti-kidnapping missions across the country, anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea, and efforts to curb crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, members of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Amotekun Corps, and other security services continue to confront evolving threats with courage and professionalism.
Many have paid the ultimate price. Others have returned from operations bearing life-changing physical injuries and invisible psychological wounds. Thousands more continue to spend extended periods away from their families, serving in difficult and often dangerous environments where uncertainty has become part of daily life. Their commitment is one of the quiet foundations upon which Nigeria’s peace and stability rest.
Every January, the nation observes Armed Forces Remembrance Day to honour those who laid down their lives in defence of Nigeria. It is a solemn and worthy tradition. Wreaths are laid, prayers are offered, and tributes are paid to fallen heroes. Yet remembrance should not be confined to an annual ceremony. The highest tribute a grateful nation can offer is not found in speeches alone but in policies that guarantee dignity for the living and lasting support for the families of the fallen.
Honouring security heroes must therefore extend beyond medals, commendation letters, and ceremonial parades. While such gestures are important symbols of national appreciation, they cannot substitute for timely payment of salaries and operational allowances, comprehensive healthcare, decent accommodation, quality equipment, transparent promotion processes, mental health support, and the prompt settlement of insurance claims and death benefits. These are not acts of generosity; they are obligations that any responsible nation owes those who risk their lives in its defence.
This is not to suggest that government has done nothing. Successive administrations have introduced various initiatives aimed at improving military welfare, enhancing operational capabilities, and supporting veterans. However, the persistence of concerns relating to delayed entitlements, inadequate housing, healthcare, and the welfare of families of fallen personnel indicates that significant gaps remain. Closing these gaps is not merely a financial commitment; it is a strategic investment in the effectiveness and credibility of Nigeria’s security institutions.
Experience from other democracies reinforces this point. Countries with strong and professional security institutions understand that recognition must be institutional rather than symbolic. Support for serving personnel, veterans, and bereaved families is embedded within enduring systems of healthcare, rehabilitation, education, housing, and social protection. These measures are not simply expressions of gratitude; they strengthen morale, improve retention, encourage recruitment, and reinforce public confidence in the institutions responsible for national security.
Nigeria need not replicate another country’s model wholesale. Our security realities, economic circumstances, and institutional structures are different. Nevertheless, one universal principle remains beyond dispute: those who willingly risk their lives for their country should never have to struggle for recognition, dignity, or basic support because of that service.
The implications extend beyond those currently in uniform. Young Nigerians considering careers in the military, police, or other security services pay close attention to how serving personnel, veterans, and the families of fallen heroes are treated. They observe whether sacrifice is genuinely valued or merely acknowledged in passing. These perceptions shape recruitment, retention, and ultimately the quality of those willing to answer the nation’s call to service.
Public confidence is equally important. Citizens who see their government consistently honouring and supporting security personnel are more likely to trust the institutions charged with protecting them. Such trust strengthens cooperation between communities and security agencies, enhances intelligence gathering, and contributes to a more resilient national security environment. In this sense, investing in the welfare of security personnel benefits not only those in uniform but society as a whole.
The way forward is neither complicated nor unattainable. Nigeria should prioritise three mutually reinforcing commitments.
First, protect those who serve through improved welfare, quality healthcare, including mental health services, safe working conditions, adequate equipment, and decent accommodation.
Second, support veterans and the families of fallen heroes through prompt payment of benefits, accessible rehabilitation services, educational support for dependants, and effective reintegration programmes for those leaving active service.
Third, honour exceptional service through transparent and merit-based recognition while cultivating a national culture that celebrates integrity, professionalism, and sacrifice in public service.
These are not extravagant demands. They are practical investments in a motivated, professional, and resilient security sector capable of meeting Nigeria’s increasingly complex security challenges.
As Nigeria continues its determined fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, piracy, and other forms of violent crime, one truth must remain firmly in view: Nigeria’s security personnel are among the nation’s most valuable strategic assets. Their courage protects our communities, their professionalism safeguards the authority of the state, and their sacrifices create the secure environment upon which economic growth, social stability, and national development ultimately depend.
Honouring these men and women is therefore not an act of charity or sentimentality. It is a strategic investment in national security. A nation that values its defenders strengthens morale, reinforces professionalism, inspires future generations to serve, and builds public confidence in the institutions charged with protecting society. Conversely, a nation that overlooks the welfare of those who stand in its defence risks weakening the very foundation of its security architecture.
History remembers nations not only for the wars they fought, but also for how they treated those who fought them. Nigeria’s security heroes have kept faith with the nation through courage, sacrifice, and dedicated service. The nation must now keep faith with them – not merely in moments of celebration or mourning, but through enduring policies that honour their sacrifice with dignity, opportunity, and care. Until that happens, our applause, however sincere, will remain incomplete.
— Philip B. Olusola, PhD, is a scholar, security analyst and public affairs commentator.
