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From John Bassey, Gusau
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence and former Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle Maradun MON, has said that a healthy soldier is a ready combatant and that soldiers must be healthy and mentally fit to cope with the stress and daily demands of military service.
He made the statement on Friday, July 11, 2025, when he received a team of mental health experts from the U.S. Africa Command, popularly known as U.S. AFRICOM, in his office at the Ministry of Defence, Ship House, Abuja.
A statement issued by Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Personal Assistant on Media, Office of the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, this weekend to journalists in Gusau revealed that men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces must be healthy and mentally fit, stressing the need for mental health workers to support Nigerian troops at the war front and ensure they have access to necessary mental health services.
The Honourable Minister emphasised that Nigeria’s pressing need in the area of mental health for its soldiers is a combat-ready soldier. He highlighted that mental fitness is just as crucial as physical fitness in ensuring operational readiness. Personnel must possess the mental resilience to effectively handle the extreme stress, trauma, and challenges inherent in military life.
The delegation was led by Mrs Helina Meri, Country Director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). Other members of the delegation included Dr Yakubu Adamu, Deputy Country Director, WRAIR; LTC Corey Carnes, U.S. Air Force, Africa Region; LTC Ryan Howry; Maj. Francis Ugoh; and Lt. Col. Nicola Mamson.
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The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is a premier U.S. military medical research institution specialising in infectious diseases, trauma care, and mental health. The meeting focused on how U.S. AFRICOM’s expertise can be leveraged to enhance mental health services and support systems for Nigerian military personnel.
This initiative aligns with the objectives of the Ministry of Defence Health Insurance Programme (MOD-HIP), which aims to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage and enhance medical services for Nigerian Armed Forces personnel and their families. MOD-HIP’s commitment to strengthening the military health system complements U.S. AFRICOM’s efforts to improve mental health care, build resilience, and provide trauma support within Nigerian military hospitals.
The Minister commended the U.S. AFRICOM mental health team for the work they have already accomplished, urging them to continue their efforts and maintain their support for Nigerian soldiers and military healthcare institutions. He further invited the team to visit key military medical establishments, particularly the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, to gain firsthand insight and identify additional areas for collaboration.
The Honourable Minister also noted: “The Federal Government remains unwavering in its commitment to the holistic health and welfare of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, recognising that mental health support is indispensable to operational effectiveness and national security.”
Also present at the meeting were Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, Director General, MOD-HIP; Rear Admiral Abdulkadir Atiku (retd), Special Assistant – Technical to the Honourable Minister; Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u; Brigadier General M.N. Inuwa, PGSO to the Honourable Minister; and Lt. Col. B.S. Kaya, GSO 1 Army to the Honourable Minister.
