Nine Nigerian Army instructors stationed at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) in Kontagora, Niger State, have raised serious concerns about their working and living conditions. Despite their crucial role in preparing new recruits for combat in Nigeria’s volatile North-East region, they report being subjected to harsh treatment and neglect by their commanding officers.
Personnel assigned to NATRAC since mid-February 2025, these nine trainers are tasked with equipping hundreds of fresh soldiers for deployment against Boko Haram insurgents. However, they reveal that their basic needs, including accommodation, nutrition, and timely payment of their ₦5,000 weekly instructors’ allowance, are routinely ignored.
One instructor, speaking anonymously to SaharaReporters due to fear of retaliation, described their situation as “akin to slavery,” emphasizing the irony of being educators preparing others for frontline combat while being denied fundamental rights themselves.
“Our responsibility is to train soldiers who will confront Boko Haram in the North-East,” the trainer explained. “Yet, we endure deplorable living conditions and are often left hungry.”
The soldiers report a complete lack of proper housing facilities. They are forced to sleep on bare wooden bunks without mattresses or adequate bedding, which exacerbates their discomfort during extended postings.
“There is no official accommodation provided. We make do with whatever space is available, but it’s far from acceptable,” another trainer added.
Food provision is inconsistent and substandard. The trainers say meals are only supplied when recruits are present, and even then, the quality is so poor that it would be rejected by most animals.
“Our commander only arranges food when trainees are on site, and the meals are barely edible. We have no choice but to eat it,” one soldier lamented.
In addition to inadequate living conditions, the trainers accuse their commanding officer of frequently delaying or withholding their instructors’ allowance. This ₦5,000 weekly stipend, intended to compensate them for their training duties, is often paid late or only when trainees are present.
“The allowance is supposed to be paid every week, but sometimes it takes weeks or even a month to receive it,” a source revealed. “Though the amount is modest, the irregularity makes it even more frustrating.”
These soldiers stress that their demands are modest, focusing solely on basic welfare and the punctual disbursement of their allowances, especially given their vital role in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts.
“We don’t ask for luxury, just fair treatment and timely payment. When there are no trainees, the allowance stops altogether,” another trainer noted.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Colonel Onyechi Appolonia Anele, were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Recent reports indicate that similar welfare issues persist across various military training centers in Nigeria, highlighting a systemic challenge in supporting frontline trainers adequately. Addressing these concerns is critical to maintaining morale and effectiveness in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
