₦100,000 Won’t Buy Courage: The True Cost of Poverty in Uniform

Every morning before dawn, a man in uniform walks into darkness. Boots laced. Rifle checked. Fear set aside. He does it so we can sleep safely. Until recently, his monthly pay was ₦49,000. Now it’s being raised to ₦80,000–₦100,000. That sum sounds generous—until you realise it barely covers two months’ rent in Lagos, three weeks of food for a family of four, or school fees for one child. We ask him to run towards danger. We ask him to stay honest when his own children go hungry. We expect sacrifice on an empty stomach and courage for a pittance. If we want loyalty, we must earn it. If we want integrity, we must fund it. If we want peace, we must pay for it. When you see an officer on the street, don’t just see a uniform—see a father, a husband, a son carrying ₦100,000 worth of responsibility.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.