The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has reiterated the Federal Government’s strong commitment to the mental health and overall welfare of military personnel across the country.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation of mental health experts from the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM), Matawalle stressed that the psychological wellbeing of soldiers is vital to national security and military effectiveness.
“Our soldiers must be healthy and mentally fit to cope with the stress and demands of military service,” the Minister said, according to a statement released by his media aide, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, on Saturday.
He added that mental fitness is as crucial as physical conditioning, especially given the extreme challenges and trauma faced by troops on the frontline.
“A healthy soldier is a combat-ready soldier,” Matawalle noted. “Mental resilience is essential to handle the stress and pressure of modern military life.”
The Minister commended the work of the US AFRICOM mental health team and urged continued collaboration with Nigerian military health institutions. He specifically invited the delegation to visit the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna to explore further support.
The US delegation was led by Mrs Helina Meri, Country Director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), a key US military medical research body focused on trauma, infectious disease, and mental health.
Other members of the visiting team included Dr Yakubu Adamu, LTC Corey Carnes, LTC Ryan Howry, Maj Francis Ugoh, and Lt. Col. Nicola Mamson.
The meeting focused on expanding mental health support systems for Nigerian soldiers and aligns with the goals of the Ministry of Defence Health Insurance Programme (MOD-HIP).
MOD-HIP aims to provide full medical coverage and strengthen mental health services for both active-duty personnel and their families.
Matawalle assured the delegation of the government’s unwavering support for holistic military welfare, noting that safeguarding the mental health of the armed forces is a national priority.
Senior officials present at the meeting included Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, Rear Admiral Abdulkadir Atiku (rtd), Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u, Brigadier General M.N. Inuwa, and Lt. Col. B.S. Kaya.
The engagement marks a renewed push to reinforce military healthcare delivery and resilience, especially through international partnerships.