Burutai Recounts Moment a Single Word Changed His Life and Career When he Contemplated Quitting NDA
By: Zagazola Makama
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd.), has revealed that a single Hausa word was what convinced him to remain in the Nigerian Army at a critical point when he had contemplated leaving the service at the very early stage of his career as a cadet in the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Buratai made the disclosure during the public presentation of the book Life Principles: Witness from the Life of Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd.), written by a Portuguese author, Dr. Muhammed Sani Abubakar, a peace scholar in Abuja on Wednesday.
It was an afternoon at the old Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), decades ago, and the young cadet Tukur Yusuf Buratai had made up his mind the army was not for him.
Days of relentless drills had taken their toll. The harsh sun, the seemingly endless drills and regimentation had eroded his resolve. For the young man from Borno, the thought of walking away from military life was not just tempting, it was certain.
“I was exhausted,” he recalled. “That day, as we were nearing dismissal, I told myself, once they release us, I will pack my things and leave. I was ready to go home and return to civilian life. But life has a way of turning on small hinges.
As the parade was winding down, a man that was riding a bicycle, wheeled to a stop in front of the cadets. He was enjoying the punishment that we were serving. His voice rang out in a single, sharp command in Hausa: “Maza!” meaning Warriors! Stand firm!
That word, Buratai said, jolted something deep inside him. “It reminded me instantly of what the military stands for urgency, discipline, resilience. In that moment, my decision to leave was gone. I stayed. And that decision has shaped everything I am today.”
He would go on to serve for over three decades, eventually becoming Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff between 2015 and 2021, overseeing critical counter-insurgency operations in the North-East and other part of the country playing a defining role in the fight against insurgency.
The book launch drew a diverse audience: traditional rulers in embroidered turbans, retired and serving senior military officers, diplomats, academics, friends, and associates from Nigeria and abroad.
In his remarks, Buratai said the incident at NDA was a reminder that “sometimes, a single word or moment can redefine the course of a person’s life.” He expressed gratitude to the author for “capturing my journey in a way that will inspire young people to choose discipline, patriotism, and service to their country.”
“I never knew that this book was about me, until when i got to read the review on Thisday newspaper. So it came as a surprise to me.he said.
He also seized the occasion to address the nation’s youth directly. “We must mentor them, guide them, and protect them from negative influences, especially from uncontrolled use of mobile phones and social media,” he warned.
Buratai stressed that education, healthcare, and employment opportunities were critical in tackling insecurity. Citing global studies, he noted that societies that invest in human capital see marked reductions in violent extremism.
He attributed his achievements to his open door policy, the listening ears and his team of advisers who ensured that the necessary decisions were implemented at the right time.
The event was punctuated with tributes, poetry recitations, and cultural performances. Attendees praised the general’s emphasis on service over self and his advocacy for youth empowerment.
