A viral video showing Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, sometimes known as Soja Boi, has sparked controversy after he was fired by the Nigerian Army.
Remember that the Lance Corporal created a popular video imploring lawmakers to send their own children to the war to experience the perils that soldiers confront.
“Our country has 36 governors, senators, and ministries. Let each of them bring their sons to join the Nigerian army. “May they join the Nigerian Army, not as officers, but as other ranks,” Olamilekan adds in the popular video.
In the video seen by WITHIN NIGERIA, Olamilekan, while encouraging the government to enhance troops’ welfare, lamented that a soldier’s monthly income is less than $100.
He grumbled about his income’s failure to meet his basic necessities, describing how tough it has always been to support his children and mother due to his poor pay.
In his own words, “If I were to advise the government, I would only advise them to improve the welfare of soldiers.” A soldier should be able to notice a hungry civilian and give him or her money, but this is not the case,” he stated.
“My last salary as a lance corporal was #109,000. Apart from the salary, there is a particular sum of N20,000 for another purpose. Basically, a soldier’s salary does not amount to a hundred dollars.
“Yes, they provide accommodation, but you would notice that some soldiers have to sleep in the barracks because they do not own a house. Why I had to leave the work was because of the financial aspect. I have two kids who attend private schools, a younger sister who is also schooling and a mother. There is a lot to do, and imagine if there is no more to cope with and provide basic needs, especially if I have to wait for the salary to come. I have to have more earnings.
“There is no freedom; you still have to keep working, but the pay is low.”
Rotimi Olamilekan, also known as Soja Boi, was arrested and detained for almost eight weeks after the video went viral. The protracted detention sparked the #FreeSojaBoi social media campaign, which led to his release.
The viral video has sparked widespread anger on social media from netizens who blame the administration of living a luxurious lifestyle while soldiers who safeguard the country from aggressors are living in hell. They also criticized the low pay structure for soldiers and expressed concern over inadequate assistance packages.
In a ‘thank you’ message posted on Instagram in March 2026, Olamilekan ‘Soja Boi’ with service number – (18NA/77/1009 LCPL) claimed he was dismissed from service because of the viral video.
“I was arrested and dismissed as a Nigerian soldier because of a video I made last year, where I called on politicians’ children to join the military,” he said.
Olamilekan, who worked with the 81 Division Task Force Battalion in Borno State, alleged that Nigerian Army personnel were obliged to buy their own uniforms and protective equipment despite getting low pay.
During an interview on the Honest Brunch Podcast with Omoyele Sowore, he stated that his monthly wage had only recently been doubled prior to his layoff in March.
“As a soldier, presently (before he was dismissed in March), them dey pay me, the last salary wey I collect for Army N109,000 or N111,000. But before that, it was just last year, February, that they increased the salary. Before now, N51,000,” he said in pidgin English.
When asked by Sowore whether uniforms were issued, he replied: “No, they don’t give uniforms now. Ask any soldier. They buy them.”
He gave cost estimates for the items, “The uniform is about N55,000. Yes. Na you go buy uniform, na you go buy boots, na you go buy anything you want to use. The boots, sometimes N60,000 for one pair of boots,” he said.
He also claimed that protective equipment such as bulletproof vests and helmets were generally not provided by the Armed Forces.
“What about armour, bullet-proof, helmet… all those ones, they don’t give you. So you buy it yourself?” he was asked.
“I swear, nobody will give you,” the ex-soldier responded in affirmative.
According to him, such equipment was only made available during high-profile visits.
“If you see a soldier wearing that thing, maybe say they get one kind, or this big visitor, maybe a governor, they want to go on occasion… they just go pack one and come,” he said.
Olamilekan further alleged that troops deployed to high-risk areas, including Sambisa Forest, often operate without adequate protective gear.
“Nobody will give you now if you no buy am… If anything they happen, now una he go first meat without bulletproof. Who won give you now?” he said.
However, the Nigerian Army has clarified the reasons for the expulsion of former soldier Rotimi Olamilekan, often known as Soja Boi.
According to a statement made on Tuesday by Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Olamilekan was fired for repeated acts of indiscipline, not for his viral video addressing political figures.
The statement underlined that the decision was made in response to many transgressions of military regulations, including breaches of the Armed Forces’ social media guidelines.
The Army highlighted that its activities are governed by stringent guidelines that all members must observe.
The violations included presenting in the media without authorization, utilizing military identity for personal gain, generating politically charged content, and inappropriately donning military uniforms.
The Army observed that Olamilekan’s case was handled in accordance with regular military processes prior to his dismissal.
It reiterated that its decisions regarding postings and duties are based on operational requirements rather than public opinion and highlighted its continued focus on discipline, accountability, and personnel welfare.
The Army also warned Nigerians to disregard claims suggesting that Olamilekan was punished for speaking about the challenges faced by soldiers, describing such reports as misleading and potentially damaging to morale.
