Orji Kalu: Appointing junior officers as service chiefs is causing loss of trained military manpower

Orji Kalu, senator representing Abia North, has called for a review of the Armed Forces Act to prevent what he described as the “wastage of trained military personnel” resulting from the appointment of service chiefs from junior courses.

Speaking during Thursday’s plenary, Kalu said the practice had forced senior officers into premature retirement, leading to the loss of experienced manpower and public funds invested in their training. His comments came as the Senate debated the general principles of a bill seeking to repeal and re-enact the Armed Forces Act.

“In amending this law, I want the committee to look into the issue of military courses,” he said.

Citing the current chief of army staff as an example, Kalu said that the officer’s membership of Course 41 had effectively compelled officers from Courses 39 and 40 to retire.

“We spent a lot of money training these officers, and when they are retired prematurely, it becomes a waste of Nigerian taxpayers’ money,” he said.

Kalu argued that the appointment of service chiefs should follow established course hierarchy to ensure fairness, stability and continuity within the armed forces. He warned that, on several occasions, a single appointment had triggered the retirement of more than 200 generals, many of whom still had up to eight years left in service.

He said reforms were needed to protect the unity and professionalism of the military, adding: “The Nigerian Army should be one army, one people, and one voice. We must ensure the system in the Nigerian Defence Academy is respected.”

In his response, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin urged lawmakers to proceed cautiously and avoid proposals that could encroach on the president’s constitutional powers.

“The military has its own traditions, and they understand them better than we do. The commander-in-chief also has the latitude to appoint as he wishes,” Barau said.

“When reviewing this law, we must balance both the authority of the president and the military’s established traditions.”

Barau also advised lawmakers to consult widely with the armed forces to ensure the reforms align with operational realities and constitutional provisions.

The bill, sponsored by Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, senator representing Katsina Central, later passed second reading.