Nigeria’s democracy is growing in age and ardour. More Nigerians, young and old, now show interest in how they are governed and in the processes of democracy. With this growth has come a higher sense of professionalism in the military.

Despite the hiccups, failings, lootings and impunity that defined Nigeria’s democracy since 1999, the military has maintained a dignifying distance from the political arena, choosing instead to mind their business. This is gratifying and speaks to a new order and ethos within the uniform-ecosystem.

One of such ethos is the strengthening of the props of integrity in the military. The Nigerian military has won global and continental awards. Some for marksmanship, some on account of integrity and dignity in labour. But integrity within the military is scarcely celebrated. From members of the joint military operations turning down bribery in millions of dollars from oil bunkerers with global and local connections to in-country military officers turning down bribes at highways including border check-points, I am tempted to say we have not celebrated the military enough.

Just recently, precisely during an operation on 19 May, 2024, troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sub Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) captured 6 suspected kidnappers in separate operations in Taraba State.

As the story goes, troops from the 93 Battalion Sub-Sector 3B OPWS stationed at Forward Operating Base Wukari, were tipped off. Swiftly, they carried out a well-choreographed raid in Chinkai village of Wukari Local Government Area resulting in the arrest of two individuals identified as Usman Gide Ali, aged 25 and Abdulrahaman Amadu, aged 28. Both were notorious hitmen in the kidnapping underworld and had been on the wanted list of security agencies for their involvement in multiple crimes in the area.

Realising they have been busted, the suspects hatched a plot. They attempted to bribe the troops with N2 million for their freedom just so they can continue with their deadly business. But their offer was roundly rebuffed by the troops indexing the flowering of integrity in the military. Did you say, just N2 million? But that’s a handsome amount even with galloping inflation in the country. Any person or group of persons who will turn down N2 million can also turn down N100,000 and even N5 billion. That’s’ the mindset of men of integrity. They can’t be bought for little or for much. Not so for kleptocrats. They fall for little; they are slaves to much.

The above narrative as told by Army spokesman, Brig-General Onyema Nwachukwu (I must say one of the best spokespersons the military ever produced) and many others point to a military that is becoming more public-spirited, professional and a strong adherent to the core values of integrity and dignity in labour. And this is not because the troops are well remunerated. I have always strongly advocated for better pay and improved general welfare for the military personnel. Comparatively, the Nigerian military personnel is not the highest paid on the continent. Funding has been a major challenge and this has over the years eroded the firepower of the Nigerian military.

Among the top four African nations with strongest firepower, Nigeria places bottom behind South Africa, Algeria and Egypt, reputed to have the strongest firepower in Africa with active military personnel of 440,000, total military aircraft of 1,080, total military vehicles standing at 77,596 and total Navy ships and submarines at 140, according to Egyptian Military Academy.

Algeria at second position is said to have active military personnel (325,000), total military aircraft (605), total military vehicles: 35,990, and total Navy ships and submarines at 213. She is followed closely by South Africa ahead of Nigeria. A comparative analysis of the military might and firepower rankings of these countries showed that Egypt and Algeria military enjoy more funding than South Africa and Nigeria military. In its explainer, the 24/7 Wall Street notes that countries that spend more usually rank above those that spend less.

The Nigerian military ranks 36th in the world and fourth in Africa, according to the latest global firepower index. This represents a drop as the Global Fire Power had ranked the Armed Forces of Nigeria 35 out of 142 countries in 2022. In 2023, there was a drop to 36th position out of a total of 145 countries reviewed. Nigeria also dropped from third to fourth on the continent in 2023 ranking.

Big spender, the United States of America’s military is ranked first in the world; Russia is second; followed by China. These are top spenders, according to latest statistics.

India is ranked fourth; the United Kingdom fifth. South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, France and Italy are ranked sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth in the world respectively. Egypt, Africa’s number one is ranked 14th in the world, Algeria 26th and South Africa 33^rd.

Critical analytics showed a correlation between military spend and might. Funds are needed not just for personnel emolument but critically for military infrastructure. Nigeria with active of 230,000 more than South Africa’s active personnel of 71,235 lags behind South Africa on account of military infrastructure including fighter jets, naval ships, among others.

Here is the irony. Among the top 4 African nations, only Nigeria is gravely challenged on many fronts by terrorism, kidnapping and general insecurity, most times externally induced. A nation under the crush of terror ought to be the biggest funder of security. Nigeria needs to spend more both in personnel emolument and capacity building; but much more in infrastructure.

Available statistics say Nigeria has active military personnel of 230,000; total military aircraft (147), total military vehicles (6,404) and total Navy ships and submarines at 133. This is certainly not enough. Nigeria has one of the lowest military per capita of 1.14 personnel per 1,000 persons (2005 Report), placing 150^th out of 170 countries.  During this period, Egypt had 10.79 personnel per 1,000 people sitting at an enviable global position of 27^th. Algeria at 33^rd position had 9.71 personnel per 1,000 persons. Many other smaller African nations fared better than Nigeria during the period.

Fast forward to 2024 with terrorism and allied crimes in full plume, the Nigerian government should ramp up its military spend, recruit more personnel and infuse more technology into military operations. You cannot have a tiny 1.14 military personnel per 1000 persons and expect optimum efficiency. The incubus of insecurity bearing down on the nation this past decade demands a drastic increase of both personnel and armoury. And with that should come a better welfare package for the military.

President Bola Tinubu should make equipping and caring for the military a priority of his government. All the talk about foreign direct investment, food security, local production, job and wealth creation will amount to zilch if Nigeria does not tackle insecurity. People need an assurance of their security before they can venture out.

Away from funding, the military should institute the practice of openly rewarding personnel who exhibit a high sense of integrity in the course of duty. Such open reward system (with media coverage) will galvanise others to walk the path of integrity in the discharge of their duties.