The Federal Government has announced plans to engage retired military personnel in reclaiming ungoverned spaces across the country as part of a broader strategy to strengthen national security and enhance economic viability.
The initiative follows the inauguration of an 18-member committee on Reclaiming Ungoverned Spaces for Economic Viability and the Repositioning of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires and Veterans by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), at the Ministry of Defence, Abuja, on Tuesday.
In a statement by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Enderline Chukwu, the Minister—represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwa—said the repositioning of the Nigerian Legion forms part of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that veterans who served the nation with honour are not abandoned, but are empowered to live dignified and productive lives after service.
Musa described the initiative as a deliberate and strategic policy intervention aimed at addressing long-standing structural and operational challenges that have constrained the defence community’s contribution to national development.
He said the Nigerian Legion remains “a critical institution with a proud history of service, sacrifice and patriotism,” noting that it has continued to play important roles in supporting national security and veterans’ affairs.
However, he stressed that changing socio-economic realities make it imperative to reform and reposition the corps for greater relevance, effectiveness and sustainability.
The Minister advocated a shift from an over-reliance on purely military offensives to a more comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable approach to national security. While military operations remain indispensable, he said enduring peace and stability could only be achieved by addressing the underlying socio-economic conditions that allow insecurity to thrive.
According to him, the committee’s terms of reference include repositioning the veteran community to support national economic development; deploying veterans to secure ungoverned spaces and bring them under effective oversight and development; and strengthening the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires to enhance operational effectiveness, facilitate veterans’ reintegration and deepen their contribution to national security.
Musa urged members of the committee to adopt innovative, practical and forward-looking solutions that reflect contemporary realities, while fostering trust and cooperation between communities and the state.
Membership of the committee was drawn from the Joint Services Department of the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Legion, Defence Headquarters, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as representatives from the offices of the Minister of Defence and the Minister of State for Defence.