Civil War Veterans Added to Military Pension Payroll

The Federal Government has approved the inclusion of retired soldiers who fought for Nigeria during the Civil War in the military pension system.

For over four decades, these veterans have repeatedly protested and sent petitions demanding their rightful place on the pension payroll. Their frustration grew after the government granted similar benefits to former Biafran soldiers.

Now, 63 Nigerian Army veterans who were previously excluded from the Military Pensions Board payroll have been considered for enrollment. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, confirmed the development.

This move follows previous efforts to integrate former Biafran soldiers into the system. President Bola Tinubu and top officials from the Ministry of Defence, including Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, played key roles in making this decision.

In addition to addressing the concerns of Civil War veterans, the authorities have also ensured that pension payments remain regular. A ministerial standing committee has been set up to improve communication between the Federal Government, the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Headquarters, and the Military Pensions Board.

Phillip Babawande, the national coordinator for government-side Civil War veterans, welcomed the development. He urged the government to speed up the verification and payment process to bring relief to veterans who have waited for decades.