The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu (NAM), has commissioned 80 housing units under the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) Estate in Jos, Plateau State, declaring that every Nigerian soldier deserves the security and dignity of home ownership after years of dedicated service to the nation.
Addressing guests at the commissioning ceremony, the COAS described the housing project as a practical demonstration of the Nigerian Army’s Soldier-First Culture, saying the welfare of personnel remains a central pillar of his leadership.
“Every soldier deserves the security and dignity of home ownership after years of dedicated service. This project is a practical demonstration of our Soldier-First Culture and our unwavering commitment to the welfare and post-service well-being of our personnel,” Lieutenant General Shaibu stated.
The Army Chief commended the Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL) for translating the Nigerian Army’s welfare objectives into tangible projects through prudent management, innovation and strategic partnerships, urging the organisation to sustain the momentum in delivering affordable housing across the country.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PHDL, Major General Isaiah Allison, described AHOOAS as a transformative initiative designed to provide soldiers with certainty about life after retirement.
“When we look at AHOOAS today, what we see is not simply another housing programme. What we see is a deliberate effort to answer a question that every soldier asks: ‘After service, what next?’ AHOOAS represents certainty, dignity and reassurance for the Nigerian soldier and his family,” he said.
Major General Allison noted that the AHOOAS initiative has continued to expand nationwide under the strategic direction of the Chief of Army Staff, recalling that 60 housing units were commissioned in Akobo, Ibadan, in December 2025, while additional estates comprising 40 housing units in Benin and 120 units in Abuja are scheduled for commissioning in the coming weeks.
“These achievements send a clear message: AHOOAS is no longer merely a concept; it is a reality transforming the lives of soldiers across the country. It is a deliberate effort by the Chief of Army Staff to ensure that every soldier, regardless of rank, has the opportunity to own a home, provide stability for his family and enjoy a fulfilling post-service life,” he added.
He explained that the Jos estate comprises newly constructed and renovated housing units supported by extensive infrastructure, including a 40-unit shopping complex, rehabilitated water works, asphalt and interlocking roads, solar-powered street lighting, electrification, children’s playgrounds and an extended perimeter fence.
Major General Allison further disclosed that five per cent of all AHOOAS housing units have been reserved for soldiers who sustained severe injuries in the line of duty, in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff.
“This is our way of honouring their sacrifice and demonstrating that the Nigerian Army does not forget those who have paid a heavy price in the service of our nation,” he stated.
He also explained that the housing estates are deliberately designed to accommodate a controlled number of civilians alongside military beneficiaries to encourage social integration, promote sustainability and create thriving communities.
The PHDL Managing Director expressed profound appreciation to Lieutenant General Shaibu for his visionary leadership and unwavering support, which he credited for the rapid expansion of military housing projects nationwide.
“Every key handed over represents a promise fulfilled, every home occupied represents a dream realised, and every completed project stands as a testament to what can be achieved when visionary leadership is matched with commitment and execution,” Major General Allison said.
He also thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the confidence reposed in him through his recent appointment as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited, pledging to continue delivering strategic housing and infrastructure projects that will improve the welfare and quality of life of Nigerian military personnel.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Plateau State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, Barrister Peter Nyam Gai, who represented Governor Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, the Gwom Rwey Foron representing the Gbong Gwom Jos, senior military officers and other distinguished guests.
