FG re‑absorbs Civil War veterans into military pension scheme
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) has officially re‑absorbed 2,141 veterans of the Nigerian Civil War into the national military pension scheme.
According to Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, the Minister of Defence, the move addresses a long‑standing gap for veterans who served on the Nigerian side during the Civil War but retired before meeting the qualifying years for pension eligibility.
The minister described the action as a “powerful demonstration of fairness and national reconciliation” intended to ensure that the sacrifices of these veterans are properly recognised. He noted that the reforms include not only pension inclusion but also enhanced healthcare support via Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML), and payment of group life insurance benefits.
Further, the Ministry disclosed that a committee has been set up to review the Nigerian Legion Act in order to rename it the Veterans Federation of Nigeria (VFN). This reform aims to strengthen the legal framework for veterans’ benefits and reintegration programmes.
In addition to benefits for these Civil War veterans, the government is developing a new initiative named the “Reclaiming the Ungoverned Space for Economic Benefits Programme” (RUSEB‑P). This programme seeks to leverage the expertise of retired military veterans for security and economic projects in formerly insurgent‑occupied areas.
This development is significant because it marks a major step in closing gaps in veteran welfare, especially for those whose service predates eligibility under earlier regulations. It also signals a broader shift toward recognising veteran contributions beyond active service, including reintegration into civilian economy and national rebuilding efforts.
