By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel beyond active service, declaring that soldiers who dedicate their productive years to defending the nation deserve a secure and comfortable future after retirement.
Shaibu stated this on Friday, November 6, 2026, while commissioning 40 affordable housing units under the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) in Benin City, Edo State.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS said providing decent and affordable accommodation for soldiers and their families remained a critical component of his Soldier-First command philosophy.
He stressed that the Nigerian Army’s responsibility to its personnel should not end with their retirement from active service, noting that the provision of affordable homes was part of efforts to guarantee their dignity, security and well-being after years of service to the country.
The Army Chief said the commissioning reflected the military’s resolve to balance operational expansion, manpower development and enhanced combat capabilities with sustained investment in the welfare and future of its personnel.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the Nigerian Army and commitment to improving the living conditions of soldiers and their families.
According to him, the President’s support had facilitated initiatives aimed at strengthening the Army’s operational capacity, expanding its formations and improving personnel welfare.
Shaibu assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to translate the support into tangible improvements in the welfare of personnel, professional effectiveness and national security.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post-Service Housing Development Limited, Major General KO Ukandu, described AHOOAS as a major pillar of the Nigerian Army’s welfare intervention, designed to provide personnel with opportunities to own decent and affordable homes while in service and secure their families’ future after retirement.
Ukandu commended the COAS for his sustained support for the initiative and appreciated the joint venture partners, contractors, consultants and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful delivery of the project. He also acknowledged the efforts of his predecessor, Major General IA Allison.
The 40 housing units comprise 20 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom semi-detached flats, supported by essential infrastructure, including a 14,000-litre elevated water tank, 450 metres of paved access roads, solar-powered streetlights, perimeter fencing and a 300KVA transformer.
In a further demonstration of the Army’s commitment to personnel welfare, five per cent of the housing units have been reserved for soldiers who sustained severe injuries in the line of duty.
The provision is intended to recognise the sacrifices of wounded personnel and ensure they are not neglected after their service to the nation.
The Benin housing project represents another milestone in the nationwide expansion of AHOOAS. Previous deliveries include 400 housing units in Idu, Abuja, 60 units in Akobo, Ibadan, and 80 units in Jos.
The statement added that construction of 20 housing units was ongoing in Bauchi, while 120 three-bedroom units under Phase Two of the Idu project had reached 95 per cent completion, with work also progressing on Phase Three.
