ABUJA — Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has proposed that every Nigerian citizen undergo military training, arguing that the experience would provide a unique perspective on life, build endurance, and deepen public understanding of the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces.
Musa made the remarks while appearing on the African Leadership Podcast hosted by Ken Giami. He explained that the physical and mental demands of military training—hunger, exhaustion, lack of sleep, and prolonged physical strain—offer insights unavailable in ordinary civilian life.
“Every Nigerian should be able to go through military training. I can tell you for free, it will give you a different perspective about life. You will now understand what it means to stay hungry, what it means to walk in days without sleep,” Musa said.
He elaborated that such training teaches endurance: continuing to march for kilometres even when tired, without food or rest, because the mission is to protect the nation. Drawing on a biblical reference, he likened the commitment of military personnel to the idea that “there’s no greater friend than he who will give his life for his friend.”
“And that’s exactly what the military men are doing, putting their lives at stake for their country to move around. And so that’s why sometimes it’s very painful when you see people insulting the military and telling them they don’t need it or we don’t want this to end. Nobody’s dying now, and they don’t want it to end,” he added.
The former Chief of Defence Staff, who assumed the role of Defence Minister in December 2025 after retiring from active service, framed the proposal as a means for citizens to better appreciate the hardships faced by troops rather than as an immediate formal government policy of compulsory enlistment. Earlier in 2026, Musa had clarified that the Federal Government had no plans to introduce mandatory military service for youths, emphasising Nigeria’s reliance on a professional volunteer force complemented by programmes such as the National Youth Service Corps.
The comments come amid ongoing security challenges across the country and broader public discussions about national service, civic responsibility, and support for the military. Musa’s remarks highlight the personal costs of service, including prolonged separations from family and the constant demands of operations.
No official timeline, structure, or implementation details for the proposed training were outlined in the interview. The suggestion is expected to generate further debate on the role of citizens in national defence and the balance between professional military forces and broader societal preparedness.
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