Nigerian generals deserve praise, not criticism, in the fight against insurgency – Rector Oluwatoyin PhD
Amidst the ongoing war against Boko Haram and other insurgencies in Nigeria, the populace is exhorted to provide maximum backing to the armed forces, thus enabling them to vanquish the complex conflict that has long plagued the nation.
This was disclosed by an erudite scholar Dr Toyin Oluwatoyin, the Rector , Nigerian Korea Friendship Institute in a chat with Newsmen in Lokoja against calls in some quarters to strip generals of the Armed forces of Nigeria – Army, Navy and Air force – of their inability to end the war in record time.
Dr. Williams Charles Oluwaroyin PHD noted that, the Armed forces of Nigeria, possess all the credentials and training that had equipped them for the task before them, adding that what is needed is our support and political will to enable them to function optimally.
He lamented at the recent growing waves of criticism that many of the generals lacked professional capabilities to earn the rank of a general to be so promoted to the rank without winning a war.
He said the perception of some Nigerians that these Generals did not deserve their ranks because, they have not been able to end the insurgency in a record was uncalled for as the war at hand was not conventional but asymmetric that requires all hands on deck.
According to him 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.
He added that no soldier 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”
He said what Nigerians fail to acknowledge is that Nigeria’s Generals are battle-hardened veterans, stressing that they have led missions both at home and abroad, such as ECOMOG peace operations in Liberia; Sierra Leone, United Nations peacekeeping missions in Sudan, Congo, Mali, and Somalia, and various multinational efforts across the African continent
He explain that these engagements were full-scale military operations requiring tactical brilliance, courage, and emotional endurance, which the soldiers had given account of themselves receiving applause from across the globe.
He, however, quipped that instead of them receiving support for their sacrifices to make Nigeria safe for confronting this guerrilla warfare ,. some uninformed Nigerians rather enjoyed themselves in disparaging their ranks with all sort of names.
He said this assymetric warfare is totally different from the conventional war in which the enemies strike from the shadows using surprise attacks, improvised explosives and other deadly weapons including suicide bombings.
“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 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” he elucidated.
Oluwatoyin disclosed that 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.
He added that these soldiers and their Generals continued on daily reality in navigating through political constraints, limited resources, and evolving threats 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.
