The Nigerian Army has firmly denied a recent report published by an online platform alleging dissatisfaction among personnel over delayed promotions and stagnant pay under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, dismissed the report as false, misleading, and maliciously crafted to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army. She described the allegations as baseless and lacking in credibility.
Anele emphasized that the promotion process within the Nigerian Army is guided by merit, strict professional standards, and the availability of vacancies, as outlined in the 2024 Armed Forces of Nigeria Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) for Soldiers, Ratings, and Airmen.
According to her, Paragraph 04.01 of HTACOS explicitly states that promotions are awarded based on hard work, professionalism, and efficiency. She noted that no personnel can circumvent these procedures and that any variations in promotion timelines are determined strictly by professional benchmarks, not personal discretion.
Addressing the claims regarding stagnant pay, Anele clarified that salary adjustments fall under the constitutional responsibilities of relevant federal institutions and are not within the control of the Army leadership. She further explained that the Army under Lt.-Gen. Oluyede has made significant strides in enhancing personnel welfare.
These reforms include the doubling of the Ration Cash Allowance and the expansion of the Nigerian Army Welfare Loan Scheme to support soldiers in acquiring assets and starting small businesses. Anele noted that these initiatives demonstrate the COAS’s commitment to improving the welfare and financial stability of Army personnel and their families.
She also criticized the credibility of the media outlet behind the publication, stating that it has a known history of anti-military bias and sensational reporting. Anele urged the public to disregard the story, particularly due to its reliance on unnamed sources and unverified claims.
The Nigerian Army, she concluded, remains committed to professionalism, transparency, and the continuous improvement of its service conditions in line with global military standards.
