No Plan for Mandatory Military Service Yet, Says Defence Minister
By Matthew Eloyi
The Federal Government has clarified that it has no current plan to introduce mandatory military service for Nigerian youths, even as it welcomed scholarly debate on the subject as part of broader national discourse on security and youth development.
This position was conveyed by the Honourable Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, who was represented by Colonel Egbe George Usibe, Deputy Director Special Duties in the Office of the Honourable Minister of Defence, at the presentation of the book “Serving the Nation: Exploring Mandatory Military Service for Nigerian Youths.”
The publication, authored by Dr. MS Abubakar and presented by Sprezzatura Publishing Limited, brought together senior military officers, scholars and members of the press to examine the prospects and implications of compulsory military service in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Minister commended the publishers and the author for stimulating what he described as a timely and constructive national conversation on youth development, citizenship and national security.
“The presentation of a work such as this is timely,” he stated. “In Nigeria, where our greatest asset is our youthful population, conversations that explore pathways for harnessing youth energy, creativity and patriotism are central to sustainable peace, cohesion and development.”
He noted that while some countries operate mandatory military service as part of their defence architecture, many others maintain professional volunteer armed forces complemented by civic national service and reserve systems. According to him, national service models are shaped by each country’s constitutional framework, security environment, economic capacity and societal expectations.
The Minister emphasised that contemporary security challenges such as insurgency and terrorism are not determined solely by manpower models. Citing global experience, he observed that both conscription and volunteer systems face asymmetric threats, underscoring that durable security depends on effective governance, capable institutions, economic opportunity and strong citizen-state relations.
Referencing psychologist Abraham Maslow’s famous observation that “if the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail,” the Minister cautioned against relying on a single institutional approach to complex security challenges.
He reiterated that Nigeria currently operates a professional volunteer Armed Forces focused on defending the nation’s sovereignty and supporting civil authorities in addressing internal security threats. This, he said, is complemented by the National Youth Service Corps, which continues to promote national integration and youth engagement across the federation.
Read Also: Buratai Writes Foreword as Dr. MS Abubakar Unveils Landmark PhD Book on Mandatory Military Service
“It is important to state clearly that there is presently no policy to introduce mandatory military service in Nigeria,” the Minister declared. “However, scholarly inquiry and constructive public dialogue remain indispensable to policy evolution.”
While acknowledging arguments by proponents of mandatory service, including its potential to foster unity, discipline, civic consciousness and a pool of trained citizens for emergencies, he stressed that any such consideration must be guided by constitutional principles, fiscal realities, institutional capacity and socio-economic implications for young Nigerians.
He further underscored the need to preserve a highly professional Armed Forces focused on operational readiness, technological advancement and inter-service cooperation as part of Nigeria’s ongoing defence transformation efforts.
Describing Nigeria’s policy outlook as “pragmatic, consultative and forward-looking,” the Minister suggested that innovative hybrid approaches could strengthen national service without resorting to compulsion. Such approaches, he said, may include expanding civic service opportunities, encouraging voluntary reserve participation, enhancing youth skills acquisition and building community resilience.
These measures, he added, align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises human capital development, national unity and institutional strengthening as pillars of sustainable security and prosperity.
The Minister concluded by urging continued engagement across academia, policy circles and the wider society, noting that national progress is shaped not only by decisions taken but by conversations held and ideas explored.
He commended all contributors and participants for their commitment to national discourse and expressed optimism that the reflections generated by the publication would strengthen citizenship, responsibility and collective purpose in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, represented by Lt-Col. Samuel Sanaje, described the book as timely contribution to the ongoing discourse on national security and youth development in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the author of the book, Dr MS Abubakar said the book was dedicated to former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, whose contributions to Nigeria’s military and security landscape he praised as highly revered.
Abubakar used the occasion to draw attention to Nigeria’s evolving security threats, including insurgency, terrorism, banditry and activities of armed groups, arguing that bold and innovative solutions are required to confront them.
