Defence Minister Musa Sparks Debate With Call For Every Nigerian To Receive Military Training

Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has proposed that every Nigerian should have the opportunity to undergo military training, arguing that the experience would give citizens a deeper understanding of endurance, hardship and the sacrifices involved in protecting the country.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Musa made the remarks while speaking on the African Leadership Podcast hosted by Ken Giami. He explained that military training exposes participants to hunger, exhaustion, physical strain and prolonged periods without sleep, experiences he said could provide a different perspective on life.

The former Chief of Defence Staff said such training would help ordinary citizens appreciate the challenges faced by soldiers, particularly their ability to continue carrying out their duties despite fatigue, discomfort and difficult conditions.

Musa said military personnel are sometimes required to cover long distances while exhausted and without normal comforts, stressing that such experiences demonstrate the level of endurance expected of those serving in the Armed Forces.

He also highlighted the risks taken by soldiers in the course of protecting the country, saying military personnel routinely put their lives on the line for the safety of others. He linked the sacrifice to the biblical principle that there is no greater act of friendship than giving one’s life for another.

The Defence Minister said this was why he found it painful when members of the public insult military personnel or question the need for the Armed Forces. He stressed that soldiers also want an end to insecurity and a return to peace across the country.

Musa further pointed out that soldiers are fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who often leave their families behind while serving in difficult environments. According to him, troops continue working through rain, dust, darkness and other challenging conditions as they carry out their responsibilities.

He called for greater public understanding of the sacrifices made by military personnel, saying citizens who experience some form of military training would have a better appreciation of the demands associated with national security.

Musa’s comments were presented as a proposal for broader exposure to military training; they do not, by themselves, establish a new compulsory military-service policy. Recent reporting has noted that an earlier 2026 clarification from the Defence Ministry said the government had no plan at that time to introduce mandatory military service or compulsory military training for Nigerian youths.