Nigerian soldiers who recently returned from peacekeeping operations in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have appealed to the Federal Government over outstanding allowances. The soldiers, who served under the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) and the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau, returned to Nigeria approximately four months ago but are still owed between six and seven months of their operational allowances. Despite ECOWAS reportedly releasing the funds, the soldiers have yet to receive their payments.
According to insider sources, soldiers deployed to the Gambia were paid six months and remain owed six months, while those deployed to Guinea-Bissau were paid three months and are being owed seven months. The soldiers expressed frustration, citing that their colleagues from Ghana and Senegal who participated in the same ECOWAS missions were paid all their allowances before leaving the mission areas. The Nigerian soldiers are questioning why they have not received their payments, despite ECOWAS releasing the funds.
The plight of the soldiers first came to public attention in September 2026, when SaharaReporters exclusively reported that over 200 Nigerian soldiers deployed to The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau for ECOWAS missions were demanding unpaid bonuses totaling N9.2 million ($5,700) each. Each soldier was entitled to a $950 monthly bonus from ECOWAS. The payment discrepancies varied by mission, with those deployed to Sudan being paid three months and owed seven months, those deployed to Gambia being paid six months and remaining owed six months, while those deployed to Guinea-Bissau were paid three months and owed seven months.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that Nigerian troops are participating in operations in the three countries. He explained that the Sudan mission is United Nations-led, while the operations in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau are ECOWAS-led. Uba stated that funding for the payment of these allowances is the exclusive responsibility of the two international organisations and not Nigeria as a nation.
Uba disclosed that funds for the Sudan operation had been received and the affected troops were paid the previous week. He also stressed that the welfare of military personnel remains a priority for the Defence Headquarters, noting that allowances received from international organisations are separate from the salaries and other allowances ordinarily paid to members of the Armed Forces. However, the soldiers' account contradicts the prompt payment claim, stating they returned four months ago and are still waiting for their payments.
The soldiers insist that the money is already in hand and that the Sudan payment is proof that public pressure works. They are calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently pay the outstanding entitlements owed to Nigerian soldiers who were deployed abroad and returned about four months ago. The soldiers believe that Ghana and Senegal soldiers who were in Gambia and Guinea-Bissau were paid all their allowances, and are questioning why Nigerian troops have not been paid.
The soldiers are appealing to the authorities to pay what is rightfully due to them, stating that they are only asking for what they worked for and what is owed to them. The Defence Headquarters has assured that efforts are being made to ensure funds are released for immediate payment. The incident highlights the need for improved communication and prompt payment of allowances to Nigerian soldiers participating in international peacekeeping missions.
Key points
- Nigerian soldiers who served in ECOWAS missions in Gambia and Guinea-Bissau are owed between six and seven months of their operational allowances.
- The soldiers claim that their Ghanaian and Senegalese colleagues received their payments, while Nigerian troops have not been paid.
- The Defence Headquarters has assured that efforts are being made to release funds for immediate payment to the affected soldiers.
