…reserves 5% of housing scheme for soldiers wounded in action
By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of its personnel, declaring that soldiers who dedicate their productive years to defending the country deserve decent homes and a secure future for their families.
Shaibu stated this while commissioning 120 housing units under Phase Two of the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) at Idu, Abuja, where he disclosed that five per cent of the 1,000 housing units under the initiative had been reserved for soldiers wounded in action.
The Army Chief said the initiative was a practical demonstration of his Soldier First command philosophy, which recognises the connection between personnel welfare, morale, motivation and operational effectiveness.
He noted that soldiers often spend considerable periods away from their families under difficult and dangerous conditions, making it imperative for the institution to match their sacrifices with deliberate and sustainable investments in their welfare.
“For a soldier who devotes most of his productive years to national service, the assurance of a decent home to retire to represents dignity, stability and peace of mind for the entire family.
“It is also a source of reassurance that, having served our beloved nation, there is a place they can truly call their own,” he said.
Shaibu described the allocation for wounded personnel as an important recognition of their sacrifices, stressing that those who sustained physical injuries in the course of defending the country must not be forgotten.
“For those who have borne the physical scars of battle, the assurance of a decent home is an enduring affirmation that their sacrifices will never be taken for granted,” he stated.
He also paid tribute to military families, particularly spouses and children who endure prolonged separation from their loved ones during operational deployments, describing them as unsung heroes of the nation’s security efforts.
“Behind every soldier, there is a family that has endured the sacrifices of long deployments. Behind those wounded and absent soldiers are also their wives and children, who bear the brunt of the challenges that come with prolonged deployments. To you all, I say you are the heroes standing by your husbands,” he said.
Providing details of the programme’s expansion, the COAS recalled that the pilot phase, comprising 402 housing units, was commissioned at Idu on December 18, 2024.
He said the initiative had subsequently extended to other parts of the country, with 60 units commissioned in Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State, 80 units in Jos, Plateau State, and another 40 units recently commissioned in Benin, Edo State.
The commissioning of the additional 120 units in Abuja, he said, underscored the Army’s determination to sustain the programme and progressively extend its benefits to more personnel.
The Army Chief commended the management and staff of Post-Service Housing Development Limited, contractors, project partners and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful implementation of the initiative.
He also acknowledged the contributions of successive Army leadership, particularly the late former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, whose commitment to improving soldiers’ welfare, he said, remained an enduring part of his legacy.
Shaibu equally recognised the contributions of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, under whose tenure as Chief of Army Staff the housing programme recorded significant progress.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strategic guidance and continued support for the Nigerian Army, particularly in strengthening the country’s defence and security architecture and supporting initiatives aimed at improving personnel welfare.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post-Service Housing Development Limited, Major General KO Ukandu, described AHOOAS as a strategic welfare intervention designed to provide soldiers with affordable home ownership opportunities and a secure future for their families.
Ukandu said the programme was founded on the understanding that personnel who dedicate their lives to defending the country deserve the opportunity to own homes and enjoy stability after years of service.
He disclosed that Phase Three of the Abuja housing project was already under construction within the same location, while plans were underway to extend the initiative to other parts of the country.
According to him, the Idu project also features supporting infrastructure, including 2.5 kilometres of tarred roads, 500KVA transformers, solar-powered streetlights and water reticulation systems.
The managing director commended the COAS for his leadership and sustained commitment to personnel welfare, assuring that the company would continue to support his command philosophy through the delivery of affordable housing projects.
He, however, urged beneficiaries to maintain their houses and the surrounding environment, warning them against selling the properties.
“These houses represent an opportunity to secure your family’s future. It is expected to motivate you to do more in the service of our great country. I encourage you to take good care of your homes and the surrounding environment. You are not allowed to sell them,” he cautioned.
Ukandu acknowledged that the demand for affordable housing among Army personnel remained significant, assuring that Post-Service Housing Development Limited would sustain efforts to reach more beneficiaries.
The ceremony featured the commissioning of the housing units, symbolic presentation of keys to beneficiaries, presentation of souvenirs and group photographs.
