In Our Time, We Didn’t Have Military Men Going On TV To Talk, Defence Minister Does That -Isama

Retired Brigadier General Godwin Alabi-Isama has expressed concern over the current state of the Nigerian military, stating that it no longer operates with the discipline and structure it once had.

In an interview with VANGUARD on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Alabi-Isama, who served as Chief of Staff to Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle during the Nigerian Civil War, said the military has become overly commercialized and politicized.

He explained that during his time in service, the procurement of military equipment was handled by the Minister of Defence based on national priorities. However, he lamented that today, the military reportedly handles its own purchases, a shift he believes undermines accountability and professionalism.

Alabi-Isama also criticized the growing trend of military officers appearing on television to address the public, a role he said was traditionally reserved for the Minister of Defence.

Alabi-Isama said,

“It wasn’t so in our time, We didn’t have military men going on television to talk to the people. The Minister of Defence did that. When did you last hear of the army commander in the UK? Take the military out of politics.

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