Military deployments straining Nigerian families, experts say

Repeated deployments and prolonged absences of military fathers are creating a silent crisis within Nigerian homes, weakening family structures and directly affecting children's education, discipline, and emotional well-being, experts warned at the 2nd National Military Fathers’ Leadership Summit in Lagos. The summit, themed “Military Fathers as Protectors: Strengthening Families, Securing Communities,” brought together military personnel, their spouses, educators, and civil society groups to confront these challenges.

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Safety and security go hand in hand. Personnel are often expected to respond to emergencies, including fires, accidents and disasters, regardless of whether they have received adequate emergency-response training.

Ambassador Mabel Abel-Onaiwu, Founder/CEO of SheSafety and Health Initiative, stressed the critical need for greater attention to the emotional well-being and emergency preparedness of armed forces personnel. Drawing from her 12 years of military experience, she identified significant gaps in support systems for both service members and their families. "Safety and security go hand in hand," she stated, noting that personnel are often expected to handle emergencies without adequate training. She also urged the public to recognize serving personnel as living heroes deserving appreciation during their lives, not just on Remembrance Day.

Lieutenant MJ Abdul-Kareem, representing the Commander of the 9th Brigade, Nigerian Army, acknowledged the unique difficulties faced by military fathers due to extended periods away from home. He emphasized that while providing for a child is crucial, being present to listen, advise, and guide is equally important. "The Nigerian Army depends not only on the physical strength of its personnel, but also the strength, stability and support of the families behind them," he stated, urging fathers to focus on instilling lasting values and character in their children.

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We don’t believe in be a man and then you slump and die. The worst thing that can happen to you is for you to drop dead because when you do, life continues, and we don’t want that for the men.

A 12-point plan was proposed at the summit to help rescue military families from these pressures. Guest speaker Professor Simeon Adebayo Oladipo, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Lagos, linked the well-being of military families to Nigeria's overall security. The summit aimed to celebrate and support men in the Armed Forces, advocating for a more holistic approach to their welfare that extends beyond ceremonial recognition.

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Providing for a child is important, but being available to listen, advise, encourage and guide the child is equally important. The Nigerian Army depends not only on the physical strength of its personnel, but also the strength, stability and support of the families behind them.