Nigeria’s Army Generals: Battle-Tested Leaders in an Age of Complex Warfare »

By: Williams Charles Oluwatoyin PhD

In recent discourse, a growing wave of uninformed criticism has questioned the credentials of Nigerian Army Generals, with some suggesting that many never “fought a war” and thus are undeserving of their ranks. This perception is not only erroneous but deeply unfair to the sacrifices and experiences that have shaped these officers.

Becoming a General in the Nigerian Army is not the product of mere bureaucracy or favoritism. It is a journey defined by strict military codes, rigorous evaluation, field experience, professional courses, and merit-based promotions. No one is promoted into the rank of General without meeting an array of highly disciplined standards enforced by the Nigerian Armed Forces. The rank is earned through decades of resilience, operational command, and integrity under pressure.

What many fail to acknowledge is that Nigeria’s Generals are battle-hardened veterans. They have led missions both at home and abroad – particularly in complex theatres like ECOMOG peace operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, United Nations peacekeeping missions in Sudan, Congo, Mali, and Somalia, and various multinational efforts across the African continent and beyond. These engagements were not ceremonial; they were full-scale military operations requiring tactical brilliance, courage, and emotional endurance.

Back home, what the Nigerian military now confronts is not conventional warfare, but guerrilla warfare – a form of irregular conflict where enemies strike from the shadows using surprise attacks, improvised explosives, and asymmetric tactics. Guerrilla warfare is among the most difficult to combat, especially when it is fueled by ideological extremism, porous borders, and transnational terrorism. Unlike traditional wars with defined frontlines, guerrilla warfare demands constant vigilance, adaptability, and an in-depth understanding of civilian dynamics, terrain, and intelligence.

Nigeria’s geopolitical position compounds the challenge. Our borders stretch over thousands of kilometers, much of which remain under-patrolled due to logistical and structural limitations. These vulnerable entry points have been exploited by foreign fighters, arms smugglers, and terrorists, escalating our internal security crisis. It is in response to this that the Chief of Defence Staff recently proposed fencing and fortifying parts of Nigeria’s borders – a strategic step toward curbing external threats and enhancing national security.

Despite these multifaceted threats, the Nigerian Armed Forces remain one of the most professional and capable military institutions on the continent, manned by battle-tested men and women who continue to serve under arduous conditions. Their daily reality includes navigating political constraints, limited resources, and evolving threats – yet they continue to carry the burden of national stability with dignity and resolve.

Let it be clearly stated: Nigeria’s Generals are not generals by accident or convenience. They are the product of sacrifice, international exposure, military excellence, and years of operational command. Instead of casting aspersions, we must recognize and support their role in safeguarding the sovereignty and unity of our nation. Nigeria’s Generals Are Not Made by Accident – They Earned Their Stars.

It will not be fair to disparage these Generals in a fiat. The Nigerian military – Army, Navy, and Air Force – is among the best trained in the world. Our officers are subjected to elite drills, command courses, and international combat simulations. They have not just studied war; they have lived it, from the harsh deserts of the Sahel to the dense jungles of the Congo. To reduce their careers to a mere question of whether they have “fought a war” is to misunderstand the nature of modern warfare, and to insult a generation of men and women who risk their lives for our peace.

We must begin to appreciate their sacrifices and not make a caricature of their service. The task before the Nigerian Armed Forces is enormous – from counter-insurgency in the North East to anti-kidnapping operations in the North West, to peacekeeping and civil-military interventions in various parts of the country. Yet they continue to serve with uncommon dedication.

Nigeria is safer because of them. They are not perfect – no institution is – but they are not frauds or accidental soldiers. They are professionals, tested in fire, and worthy of our respect.

Let us hold them accountable, yes – but let us also honor them. They are the wall between chaos and order.