“Train Every Nigerian to Defend Nigeria” — Ex-Army Chief Ihejirika Urges FG to Make Military Training Mandatory

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), has called on the Federal Government to introduce compulsory military training for all Nigerian citizens as a national security strategy. He made the bold recommendation during a national security dialogue in Abuja on Tuesday, July 2, 2025.

Ihejirika said Nigeria’s current security challenges—ranging from insurgency to banditry and urban crime—require an all-hands-on-deck approach that includes equipping civilians with basic military skills. According to him, the traditional security structure has become overstretched and needs support from a trained and prepared populace.

The former army boss argued that many countries, including Israel, Switzerland, and even South Korea, have successfully adopted mandatory military service for young citizens, which not only boosts national defense but also instills discipline, unity, and patriotism.

He stressed that the training could be integrated into the NYSC scheme or introduced as a standalone civic-military program. “We need a country where every citizen is mentally and physically equipped to support national security efforts. A trained civilian population can serve as both a deterrent and a first line of response,” Ihejirika said.

His statement sparked mixed reactions among stakeholders present, including civil society groups and youth organizations. While some lauded the idea as a patriotic masterstroke, others raised concerns about human rights, funding, and the logistics of implementation in conflict-prone zones.

Ihejirika also urged the federal government to immediately invest in rebuilding trust between security forces and civilians, noting that a nation cannot rely on “guns alone” without people willing to stand for it. He called for national reorientation, paramilitary drills in tertiary institutions, and the revival of cadet programs in secondary schools.

The retired general concluded that only a combination of civilian participation and military expertise can help Nigeria defeat its enemies. “Security must not be left to a few. A well-trained people will secure their own land better than outsiders,” he said.