By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has joined the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, Service Chiefs and other dignitaries at the launch of an online discount platform designed to improve the welfare of military personnel and their families.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria Personnel Online Discount Shop was launched on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Defence Headquarters, Abuja, to provide serving and retired personnel, veterans and their families access to essential goods at discounted prices.
The participation of the COAS at the launch underscores the Nigerian Army’s involvement in broader Armed Forces initiatives aimed at improving personnel welfare and providing practical support to troops and their families.
Speaking at the event, the SGF described the initiative as a practical intervention to support the welfare of Armed Forces personnel and their families, particularly through the use of digital technology to provide easier access to quality goods at preferential prices.
The CDS, General Olufemi Oluyede, described the platform as a practical expression of the Armed Forces’ people-centred approach to personnel welfare.
Oluyede disclosed that plans were underway to develop a robust database, expand the number of participating vendors and establish physical outlets in the future.
A major highlight of the launch was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Defence Headquarters and Zinox Group to formalise the implementation of the online discount scheme.
The initiative is expected to leverage digital innovation and private-sector partnership to extend practical welfare support to serving personnel, veterans, retirees and their families.
The launch forms part of ongoing efforts by the Armed Forces leadership to strengthen personnel welfare while deploying technology to make essential goods and services more accessible to those serving and those who have served the nation.
