EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Army Personnel Kick Over Delay In Promotion Under General Oluyede, Non-Increment Of Pay

Some Nigerian Army personnel have cried out over their accumulated arrears of promotions.

The soldiers who spoke to SaharaReporters appealed to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for an urgent review of their stagnant promotion status.

They claimed the army authorities had impoverished personnel in the lower cadre with no increment in their allowances for years.

The soldiers insisted that their monthly salary was among lowest in the security personnel, stressing that to feed their families and relatives was now a challenge.

“It’s about soldiers’ promotion, after many months, they released vacancies for promotion but sadly, the exercise was lopsided. Also just small vacancies and most of we soldiers are complaining. Imagine, after staying five years on one ranks, still no guarantee of getting promotion,” a Sergeant told SaharaReporters.

“Like 20 people will be due for promotion in a unit, then they will now send 4 names, meaning 16 people will wait again till next year, it’s unfair.

“It's touching seriously, our seniors officers are not after our welfare as the junior soldiers; they are only for their pockets and their families. Most of them even have their families abroad not Nigeria. While the poor soldiers have no better future plan for their own children.”

SaharaReporters reported during the week how a fresh protest erupted in Lagos State, with protesters, demanding better pay and improved welfare for Nigerian policemen and soldiers. 
The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions denouncing the poor welfare of soldiers and policemen, called for comprehensive reforms to guarantee better treatment.

The protest follows a similar demonstration by retired police officers who stormed the Force headquarters in Abuja, on Monday, lamenting poor treatment and benefits. 

The retired officers claimed they only received 25% of the money deducted from their salaries after serving for 35 years.

However, in video clips shared with SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the protesters were seen carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs matching along the road.