A dismissed Nigerian soldier, Rotimi Olamilekan, popularly known as Soja Boi, has challenged the Nigerian Army to make its payroll public, as controversy continues over his claims regarding soldiers’ welfare and remuneration.
Olamilekan, a former lance corporal, issued the challenge in a video released on Tuesday, just hours after the Army dismissed his earlier allegations as false and misleading.
In the video, he presented bank transaction alerts which he claimed reflected his earnings during active service. According to him, his monthly salary stood at N112,061.59, alongside a N20,000 allowance he described as a “grumbling allowance.” He added that an operational allowance of N45,000 was only paid to soldiers deployed to conflict zones such as Maiduguri, while a N6,000 security allowance was also tied to active deployment.
He emphasized that soldiers not engaged in operations receive only their base salary and the N20,000 allowance, noting that operational payments are not permanent entitlements.
Olamilekan further alleged that some personnel are compelled to purchase personal protective equipment, including helmets and fragmentation jackets, contrary to official claims.
Speaking in Pidgin English, he insisted his statements were factual and backed by evidence, urging Nigerians to verify his claims through friends or relatives serving in the military.
“I am not trying to damage the image of the Army,” he said. “I am simply stating facts and backing them with proof.”
However, the claims could not be independently verified.
In response, the Nigerian Army, through its Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anaele, described Olamilekan’s allegations as baseless. The Army maintained that all personnel are adequately equipped through established logistics systems and are not deployed without proper protective gear.
On remuneration, the Army stated that soldiers receive consolidated monthly salaries, along with uniform, operational, and mission-specific allowances paid directly into their accounts.
The military also clarified that Olamilekan’s dismissal was due to repeated acts of indiscipline, including violations of the Armed Forces Social Media Policy and unauthorized media engagements, rather than the content of his public statements.
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