Army Suspends Officer Retirements Amid Nationwide Security Emergency

The Nigerian Army has suspended both statutory and voluntary retirements for selected categories of officers as part of the federal government’s response to escalating insecurity across the country.

The directive follows the nationwide security emergency declared on November 26 after more than 600 cases of mass abductions were recorded in November. Incidents included the kidnapping of over 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State.

In line with the emergency measures, the President ordered security agencies to widen recruitment and deploy thousands of additional personnel. An internal memo dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, confirmed that retirements would be paused to preserve manpower and operational experience during this expansion.

The memo, referencing the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, noted that although officers ordinarily exit the service based on age limits, 35 years in service, or repeated promotion and conversion failures, an extension of service is permitted under Paragraph 3.10(e) when required in the interest of the military.

The suspension applies to officers who have:

* failed promotion examinations three times,

* been passed over three times at promotion boards,

* reached the age ceiling for their ranks,

* failed conversion boards three times, or

* completed 35 years of service.

Affected officers may apply to continue serving beyond their scheduled retirement dates. Those who opt in will not be eligible for further career progression, including promotions or advanced military courses.

Commanders were directed to implement the policy immediately and manage troop morale while the situation evolves.

The move has received backing from military veterans and retired senior officers.

Dr. Awwal Abdullahi, Secretary-General of the Military Veterans Federation of Nigeria, described the suspension as “long overdue,” arguing that experienced officers are often lost due to rigid retirement tied to appointments. He urged the military to retain senior officers at the Defence Headquarters when juniors are elevated to top positions, rather than forcing premature exits.

Retired Brigadier General Peter Aro called the measure a “practical short-term response,” saying that retaining seasoned personnel would stabilise command structures. He stressed, however, that officers staying on without promotion prospects should receive enhanced welfare and financial incentives.

He also urged the military to address manpower shortages through aggressive recruitment, improved training, and reforms that remove longstanding divisions between regular and short-service officers.

Retired Brigadier General Bashir Adewinbi welcomed the suspension as a necessary step in a critical moment, insisting that serving beyond retirement should be viewed as a privilege. He dismissed concerns that officers with failed promotion attempts might struggle under younger commanders, saying existing structures prevent such conflicts.

Another retired senior officer, Brigadier General George Emdin, supported the policy but urged the military to end the tradition of retiring officers once their coursemates are appointed service chiefs. He warned, however, against extending the service of officers who repeatedly fail promotion examinations.

Across the board, veteran voices emphasized one theme: with ongoing threats and expanding military responsibilities, preserving experienced leadership is essential—provided welfare and operational conditions are strengthened to match the demands ahead.