The Minister of State for Defence and former Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Mohammed, said that soldiers must be physically and mentally healthy to handle the tough demands of military life.
He made this statement on Friday, July 11, 2025, when he met with a team of mental health experts from the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) at the Ministry of Defence office in Abuja.
According to a statement from his media assistant, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, the Minister stressed that it is important for Nigerian soldiers, both men and women, to be in good mental health. He said mental health professionals must support soldiers at the front lines and help them get the care they need.
The Minister said that Nigeria needs mentally strong soldiers who are ready for combat. He pointed out that being mentally fit is just as important as being physically fit. Soldiers need strong minds to deal with the stress, trauma, and challenges of military life.
The U.S. team was led by Mrs Helina Meri, the Country Director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). Other members included Dr Yakubu Adamu, LTC Corey Carnes, LTC Ryan Howry, Maj. Francis Ugoh, and Lt. Col. Nicola Mamson.
The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is a top U.S. military research center that focuses on diseases, trauma care, and mental health. The meeting discussed how AFRICOM’s knowledge and experience could help improve mental health care for Nigerian soldiers.
This partnership supports the goals of the Ministry of Defence Health Insurance Programme (MOD-HIP), which aims to give full healthcare to soldiers and their families. The program also works to strengthen military hospitals, which fits well with AFRICOM’s efforts to improve mental health care and support.
The Minister thanked the AFRICOM mental health team for their work and encouraged them to keep supporting Nigerian soldiers. He invited the team to visit military hospitals like the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna to see things for themselves and explore more ways to work together.
The Minister also said the Federal Government is fully committed to the health and well-being of the Nigerian Armed Forces. He emphasized that mental health is essential for strong military performance and national safety.
Others at the meeting included Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, Rear Admiral Abdulkadir Atiku (retd), Senator Sahabi Ya’u, Brigadier General M.N. Inuwa, and Lt. Col. B.S. Kaya.
