The Ministry of Defence says it is coordinating the activities of the Nigerian Legion and working closely with its leadership to reposition military veterans for improved welfare and national relevance.

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, represented by his Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Atiku Abdulkadir, made this known on Wednesday at the 2026 National Council Meeting of the Nigerian Legion in Abuja.

Matawalle said all initiatives being undertaken by the Legion’s Nationaal Chairperson were with the full support of the Minister of Defence and the ministry.

According to him, the ministry has identified significant skilled capacity among retired personnel and those nearing retirement, and is working on a structured audit and placement framework, stressing that the plan was to properly document retirees’ competencies and facilitate job placement beyond their service years. 

“We are trying to organise in such a way that we will have an audit and placement for retirees.

“Even beyond service life, the ministry intends to support placement for skilled retirees,” he said.

Matawalle added that efforts were also ongoing to enhance personnel with additional skills and certifications before disengagement to improve employability and self-reliance.

He said salaries, pensions and other emoluments were being paid regularly, adding that the minister continually reviewed complaints to ensure prompt resolution.

On concerns over scholarships for orphans of fallen heroes and accommodation challenges faced by retirees, he acknowledged existing gaps but described them as work in progress.

He said the ministry was compiling a register of eligible beneficiaries and engaging the Defence Headquarters and the services to ensure proper support.

“It is an ongoing thing, and it will continue to reduce the gap,” he said.

Responding to calls for agricultural support for veterans, Matawalle said the ministry would first conduct an audit of interested retirees across states.

He said collaboration with state governors would be explored to support veterans engaged in farming, noting that the process required planning and patience.

On pension administration, he said reforms had significantly improved processing timelines.

According to him, documentation now begins 90 days before retirement to ensure pension payments commence shortly after disengagement, unlike in the past when delays were common.