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A former Nigerian Air Force sergeant has shared a personal experience of how life unexpectedly reversed roles after he relocated to the United States, where a former junior colleague became his supervisor.
In a viral video, the former military personnel also recalled how another former colleague accommodated him for six months after he arrived in New York, refusing to accept any money from him for food, toiletries or other household expenses.
He used the experiences to urge both leaders and subordinates to treat people with dignity and respect.
‘My former junior became my supervisor’
According to the ex-serviceman, one of his former junior colleagues in the Nigerian Air Force later became his supervisor at their workplace in the United States.
“A former landscape pilot of the Nigerian Air Force was my supervisor here in the US. I was his SSM in Nigeria. When I was his SSM, we never knew that life would finally play out the way it did.”
He explained that his former subordinate became responsible for assigning his duties, deciding where he would work, how long he would remain at each post, and when he should withdraw from an assignment.
“He became my superior where we work. He was the one who deployed me to where he wanted me to be at a certain time and the number of hours I would stay, or the minutes. And if he wanted me to withdraw, he would ask me to withdraw.”
The former sergeant said he was grateful they had maintained a cordial relationship while serving together in Nigeria.
“Thank God we were very cordial while in service. Do your job normally. Do your job as it ought to be. But no victimisation, no maltreatment, no undue pressure on your subordinates.”
He advised military personnel and leaders against abusing their authority or punishing subordinates without justification.
“Do not punish people or treat people badly without any good reason. No unnecessary punishment. Do the job the way it ought to be. When there is need for discipline, discipline.”
Reflecting on the experience, he said things could have turned out differently if he had treated his former subordinate unfairly.
“But if I was bad to him or I was maltreating him, that would have been another avenue for him to retaliate tactically. He would just give a directive and I would just be there. But that never happened.”
He added that despite becoming his superior, the former junior colleague continued to treat him with respect.
“He was still addressing me with respect. Oga, Oga, Oga. But he was the one that deployed me. He would tell me, ‘You will be here at a certain time.’ We were friends until today. Very good friends.”
‘You don’t know where life will bring you together again’
Using his experience as an example, the former military officer urged people never to look down on colleagues because positions can change unexpectedly.
“He was my subordinate. He was my friend. We were close. So please mind how you treat people. You don’t know where the next meeting would take place. That’s the truth.”
He stressed that today’s junior officer could become tomorrow’s leader.
“The person might become the Senate President while you will be in the House as a Senator. Whenever you want to talk, the way the person will handle your issue… before you know it, you won’t be able to express yourself completely. You can meet anywhere.”
Addressing junior military ranks directly, he said: “I’m talking to you. ACMs, Lance Corporals, Corporals. Because the person I’m talking about was a Lance Corporal while I was a Sergeant. He was a Lance Corporal. In fact, both of them were Lance Corporals.”
He continued: “Please, treat people well but do your job genuinely. Don’t say, ‘My neighbour is just a Lance Corporal. He’s just a Corporal. He’s this and that.’”
According to him, anyone can become valuable within a short period.
“Don’t say, ‘I can’t need help from him tomorrow.’ No, he can offer you a lot in the next 72 hours.”
Former colleague hosted him for six months in New York
The former sergeant also narrated how another retired senior non-commissioned officer welcomed him after he arrived in New York without anyone to receive him.
“When I landed in New York some years back, it was an NCO, a Senior NCO, that came to pick me. Because I had no one to pick me, he came to pick me, took me to his house and took care of me for about six months.”
He said the retired officer refused to let him contribute financially during his stay.
“Six good months without allowing me to spend a dime. He said, ‘No, don’t spend anything. You are still new. Whatever you want to spend, spend it on yourself.’”
According to him, the man rejected every attempt to contribute to household expenses.
“He didn’t collect money from me. He said, ‘Don’t spend money on me. Don’t spend money in the house.’ He took care of me.”
The kindness extended even to personal care items.
“He didn’t even allow me to buy soap. Soap to bathe, he refused. Soap to shower, he refused. Toothpaste, he refused me from buying.”
He encouraged people to value themselves and others because no one knows where life will lead.
“Do not underrate yourselves. Value yourselves because you don’t know where you are going to meet tomorrow.”
‘Relationships determine future opportunities’
After relocating to California, the former serviceman said he again received support from retired junior and senior non-commissioned officers.
“When I moved over to California, I met the same NCOs, both Junior NCOs retired and Senior NCOs retired. They were all over me. They made life better. They made life easy. They connected me and gave me a job.”
He urged viewers to reflect on how they treat people around them.
“How are you treating the people around you? You need to ask yourself.”
He also challenged subordinates to respect their superiors while reminding leaders to treat junior officers fairly.
“Subordinates, are you treating those who are your superiors? Are you respecting them? Are you also behaving well? Superiors, how are you treating your subordinates?”
Without naming anyone, he noted that some of the individuals he referred to eventually held positions overseeing commissioned officers.
“The people I’m talking about were even in charge of a commissioned officer. I’m not mentioning any name.”
Concluding his message, he warned that positions and influence are temporary.
“Let us be careful. If you’re a boss today, be careful. You do not know what tomorrow holds. You won’t be where you are today forever.”
He added: “A time will come when you will have to transit, move from one level to a higher level, and you find yourself relating with the people you have known in the past. How will you be able to relate with them cordially? It depends greatly on your relationship with people.”
Ending the video, he said: “Thank you. Have a good day. It’s just a word for those who care to listen. Thank you. Cheers.”
Watch the video here…
“No matter the position you find yourself in, don’t treat people badly because you are above them. A former Lance Corporal in the Nigerian Air Force is now my supervisor here in the USA. I was his senior back in Nigeria, but I never knew life would turn around. He was once posted… pic.twitter.com/w5ENZdNt0L
— CHUKS
(@ChuksEricE) August 3, 2026
(@ChuksEricE) August 3, 2026