For years, the daily realities of Nigerian soldiers have been defined by sacrifice, resilience, and quiet endurance — long hours on the frontlines often coupled with concerns over welfare, promotion prospects, and life after active service. But a quiet transformation is unfolding in the barracks, as the Nigerian Army, under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, pushes a philosophy known simply as “Soldier First.”
Far from being a slogan, “Soldier First” is a deliberate shift in military culture, putting the well-being, motivation, and professional fulfilment of troops at the core of strategic planning. Reaffirmed during the Army’s 162nd anniversary celebration in Kaduna, General Oluyede declared that welfare must never be a footnote in military strategy, but a central pillar.
“A soldier who understands that his well-being is the priority of his commanders will naturally be motivated and encouraged to perform better, even in the face of adversity,” the COAS said. “The Army’s strength begins not just in its armoury, but in the living conditions of its personnel and the sense of fairness that governs their careers.”
A BLUEPRINT FOR FAIRNESS AND GROWTH
The most visible policy tool driving this transformation is the recently realigned Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service 2024 (HTACOS 2024) — a document viewed within military circles as a landmark reform. It standardises promotion procedures, welfare entitlements, and disengagement policies across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Promotions are now tied to merit-based criteria including years of service, performance appraisals, mandatory courses, trade tests, and medical fitness, removing the element of arbitrariness. A recruit, for example, can expect to be promoted to lance corporal after three years of service, progressing further at defined intervals if requirements are met.
HTACOS 2024 also introduces mandatory promotion examinations, clear reversion guidelines, and a dignified exit pathway, setting a voluntary retirement threshold at 18 years of service — a change welcomed by those previously bound by a 35-year maximum. The reform aims to balance operational demands with fatigue, family responsibilities, and the need for personal transition.
ADDRESSING PERCEPTIONS AND REALITIES
Recently, the Army faced public criticism over alleged promotion delays and pay stagnation. Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, described such claims as “false, misleading, and malicious.” She emphasised that promotions remain guided by HTACOS 2024’s transparent processes, citing paragraphs 04.01, 04.02, and 04.04, which outline criteria from private to Army warrant officer.
On pay structures, Anele clarified that adjustments fall under federal institutions, not unilateral Army authority.
Beyond clarifications, she pointed to tangible welfare measures under General Oluyede’s leadership, including the doubling of Ration Cash Allowance and expansion of the Nigerian Army Welfare Loan Scheme — designed to help personnel invest in small businesses and acquire assets with minimal bureaucracy and low interest rates.
SOLDIERS AT THE CENTRE
These changes suggest a broader shift in the Army’s internal culture — one that sees soldiers not just as instruments of military might, but as individuals whose dignity and fairness must be safeguarded. While questions remain about whether these reforms will endure beyond the current leadership, their impact is already reshaping expectations in the ranks.
In an era of complex security challenges, the combination of “Soldier First” and HTACOS 2024 offers a vision where dedication and professionalism are met with fairness, opportunity, and tangible support.
As General Oluyede put it: *“It is not only about winning battles, but also about never forgetting those who fight them.”*
For many troops, that change signals nothing less than a new dawn.