The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for increased private sector investment in military infrastructure, troops’ welfare and veterans’ support, describing such partnerships as critical to strengthening national security, enhancing operational effectiveness and accelerating national development.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS made the call on Friday while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), Dr Ubon Udoh, and his delegation at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the Founder of ASR Africa and Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, for his sustained support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria through impactful corporate interventions. He noted that the country’s evolving security environment demands stronger collaboration among government institutions, the military and responsible private sector organisations to build national resilience and sustain ongoing security operations.
The Army Chief stressed that investment in critical rural infrastructure, particularly road networks, would deliver both security and economic benefits by improving troop mobility, enabling rapid deployment to operational theatres, enhancing logistics and stimulating economic activities in underserved communities. He added that better road connectivity would also deny criminal elements the opportunity to exploit difficult terrain and isolated settlements as safe havens.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further emphasised that the welfare of serving personnel, especially soldiers wounded in action, as well as the continued care of retired military personnel, remains a strategic priority. He said quality healthcare and comprehensive support systems for both serving troops and veterans are essential to sustaining morale, preserving combat effectiveness and maintaining a highly motivated and mission-ready force.
He expressed appreciation to BUA Group and ASR Africa for their continued investments in military healthcare, describing the interventions as significant contributions to enhancing the operational capability of the Nigerian Army.
The COAS also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions. He noted that ASR Africa’s ongoing construction of 120 accommodation units for Corporals and Below at Giri, Abuja, is a timely intervention that complements the Army’s expansion programme.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged other corporate organisations to emulate ASR Africa by investing in military infrastructure, personnel welfare and other initiatives that support national security and sustainable development.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, conveyed the goodwill of the initiative’s Founder, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, and disclosed that implementation of the Nigerian Army’s ₦2 billion allocation under ASR Africa’s ₦10 billion Security Sector Support Grant is progressing steadily towards completion.
Dr Udoh reaffirmed ASR Africa’s commitment to sustaining its strategic partnership with the Nigerian Army through interventions aimed at strengthening operational capacity, improving personnel welfare and contributing to peace, security and national development.
