The Vice-Chancellor of Lead City University, Prof. Kabiru Aderemi Adeyemo, has called on Nigeria to develop stronger and sustainable frameworks for empowering military veterans, describing them as strategic assets critical to national development and security.
Adeyemo made the call while delivering a lecture titled “Adapting to a Changing World: Empowering Nigerian Military Veterans for National Development” at the 38th National Annual General Meeting of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers’ Association of Nigeria (RANAO), held at RANAO House, Ibadan.
The event brought together retired military officers, policymakers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to discuss the role of military veterans in national growth and stability.
Among dignitaries at the gathering were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented by former Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Abiodun Ilesanmi; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja; former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; and former Military Governor of Lagos State, Major General Oladayo Popoola.
Speaking during the lecture, Adeyemo noted that military veterans possess enormous leadership capacity, discipline, resilience, technical expertise and strategic thinking abilities that remain indispensable for national development.
According to him, despite their wealth of experience and patriotism, many Nigerian military veterans remain underutilised due to weak reintegration structures, inadequate welfare systems and limited economic opportunities after retirement.
He stressed that veterans could contribute meaningfully to economic growth, national security, entrepreneurship, agriculture, logistics, disaster management, youth mentorship and infrastructure protection if properly integrated into national development plans.
“The world is changing rapidly with technological advancement, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and evolving security challenges. Nigerian military veterans remain one of the country’s most valuable but underutilised strategic assets,” he said.
Adeyemo also highlighted the importance of equipping veterans with digital skills, entrepreneurial training and modern economic integration opportunities to enable them adapt to emerging global realities.
He lauded the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers’ Association of Nigeria for its contributions towards veteran welfare, mentorship, policy advocacy and national unity.
The don called for comprehensive reforms in veteran affairs, including improved pensions, healthcare, post-service benefits, mental health support and targeted funding for veteran-led enterprises.
He urged government, private organisations and civil society groups to strengthen collaboration in creating sustainable reintegration programmes for retired military personnel.
Adeyemo maintained that empowering veterans should not be viewed merely as welfare support but as a deliberate investment in national security, institutional stability and long-term economic development.
“Military veterans are not liabilities after retirement; they remain strategic assets for nation-building and national transformation,” he added.
