By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has restated his unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigerian Army personnel through the provision of affordable, post-service housing. This initiative, driven by the Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL), reflects the Army’s renewed focus on offering soldiers not just shelter but security, dignity, and a stable future beyond active service.
At a media engagement held in Abuja, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PHDL, Major General Isaiah Allison, revealed that the housing programme is anchored on the COAS’s command philosophy, a doctrine committed to building a well-motivated and combat-ready force. He said PHDL’s work is a direct extension of this vision.
“PHDL remains committed to transforming military housing nationwide. This is in alignment with the welfare vision of the Chief of Army Staff, who has made it clear that no soldier’s sacrifice should go unrewarded,” said Lieutenant Augustina Nkeonye, the Acting Public Relations Officer of PHDL.
Major General Allison disclosed that the flagship initiative, the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers is structured to accommodate every rank in the Nigerian Army. Under the scheme, Corporals and personnel of lower ranks are eligible for two-bedroom apartments priced at ₦7.8 million, while Sergeants and higher ranks are entitled to three-bedroom apartments costing ₦8.5 million.
“Each housing initiative we deliver is not just about bricks and mortar. It is a physical manifestation of the COAS’s welfare agenda,” General Allison emphasized.
He clarified that the PHDL’s mandate is focused strictly on post-service housing, not in-service accommodation or barracks. “We are not in charge of temporary housing. What we build are homes, homes that offer dignity and peace of mind for soldiers after their active duty,” he said.
Reinforcing the structural integrity of the agency, General Allison noted that PHDL operates like a full-fledged professional real estate outfit, albeit under military command. “We are a military body, yes, but we work with the efficiency and expertise of a real estate development company. Our team includes engineers, quantity surveyors, auditors, and site managers. There is strict quality assurance across all sites,” he said.
He revealed that the first estate consisting of 400 housing units commissioned in December 2024, has already been allocated. While some beneficiaries have moved in, others, particularly those deployed far from the estate location, have opted to reserve their homes for post-retirement use, which is fully in line with the project’s objective.
In a compassionate gesture initiated under the directive of the former Chief of Army Staff, a portion of these homes was allocated free of charge to wounded-in-action personnel. “The rest were distributed through structured deductions from the beneficiaries’ entitlements. But that free allocation to injured personnel reflects the Army’s acknowledgment of sacrifice,” Lieutenant Nkeonye explained.
Construction of the second batch of houses, all three-bedroom units, is already nearing completion behind the initial estate, with similar projects underway across several other states. However, the MD noted that further project locations would only be disclosed at formal commissioning events.
Lieutenant Nkeonye highlighted the importance of public awareness and media collaboration in achieving the initiative’s impact. “We cannot do this alone. The media is one of our most important stakeholders because if the information doesn’t go out, then no one knows what we’re doing,” she said.
The MD also stressed that all communication about PHDL’s work must reflect the leadership and vision of the Chief of Army Staff. “We are merely executing his directive. Even when he is represented by me or any other official at a commissioning, it is still his vision at work. His leadership is the foundation of all we are achieving,” General Allison asserted.
As the Post-Service Housing Development Limited continues to expand its footprint across Nigeria, its mission remains clear: to offer every soldier the peace of knowing that after service to the nation, they will return to a home they can proudly call their own.
