By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Army has reiterated its determination to entrench world-class hospitality management practices and ensure the long-term sustainability of its welfare investments with the formal opening of the 2025 Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes Annual Stakeholders Conference.
The conference, which brings together senior military officers, hospitality regulators, industry professionals and other key stakeholders, was declared open on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, by the Chief of Logistics (Army), Major General Adeyinka Adekunle, who attended as the Special Guest of Honour.
Delivering the Chief of Army Staff’s address, Major General Adeyinka conveyed the COAS’s satisfaction with the significant progress recorded by the Department of Special Services and Programmes, particularly in the deliberate repositioning of Nigerian Army hospitality assets to align with international best practices. He described the annual stakeholders conference as a strategic engagement platform that continues to strengthen collaboration between the Nigerian Army and critical players within the hospitality industry.
He noted that the growing participation of reputable hospitality operators and seasoned professionals at the conference is a strong indication of increasing confidence in the Nigerian Army’s welfare initiatives. According to him, this confidence must be sustained through continuous engagement, innovation and the deepening of strategic partnerships capable of enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency across all Army hospitality establishments.
Major General Adeyinka urged the Chief of Special Services and Programmes (Army) to remain steadfast in leveraging partnerships with industry leaders, stressing that such collaborations are vital to sustaining quality standards, improving customer experience and ensuring that Nigerian Army hospitality facilities remain competitive within the national hospitality space.
He explained that the annual stakeholders conference offers a unique opportunity for capacity building, knowledge exchange and the refinement of management skills in line with global trends and evolving customer expectations. In this regard, he disclosed that the Nigerian Army currently operates Army Officers’ Mess and Suites in eight locations across the country, providing subsidised accommodation, recreation and entertainment services in safe, secure and serene environments for officers and guests.
The COAS representative further highlighted the recent commencement of operations at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites, which, he said, has expanded the Army’s capacity to deliver world-class hospitality services. He also announced that the Army Officers’ Mess and Suites, Ibado, which is nearing completion, is scheduled to commence operations shortly, thereby further broadening the Nigerian Army’s hospitality footprint nationwide.
While acknowledging the impressive strides already made, Major General Adeyinka emphasised that the dynamic nature of the hospitality industry demands continuous learning, adaptability and improvement. He stressed that effective coordination, sound corporate governance and prudent management of Nigerian Army welfare investments remain critical to guaranteeing their long-term sustainability and profitability.
He observed that the conference theme, “Conforming to World-Class Management Standards for Sustainable Nigerian Army Hospitality Businesses,” is firmly aligned with the broader transformation agenda of the Nigerian Army. According to him, the same principles driving transformation across the combat and administrative components of the Army must equally guide the management of its hospitality establishments if optimal performance is to be achieved.
Major General Adeyinka disclosed that the lectures lined up for the conference were carefully selected to stimulate intellectual engagement, promote innovation and strengthen the administrative and managerial capacities of participants. He encouraged attendees to ensure that lessons learnt from the conference translate into measurable improvements in service delivery, customer satisfaction and operational efficiency across all Nigerian Army hospitality facilities.
Commending the Chief of Special Services and Programmes (Army) and his team for organising the conference, he urged them to consolidate existing achievements while proactively exploring new opportunities within the hospitality industry that could further enhance the value of the Army’s welfare investments. He also expressed appreciation to the resource persons for making themselves available to share their expertise and experiences in support of the Nigerian Army’s quest for service excellence.
Major General Adeyinka further conveyed the gratitude of the Nigerian Army to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his continuous strategic guidance and unwavering support, while reaffirming the loyalty of officers and soldiers to the President and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The conference was thereafter formally declared open, with participants urged to engage in frank, robust and solution-oriented deliberations.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the chief host, Chief of Special Services and Programmes (Army), Major General Aminu Garba, welcomed participants and members of the press, describing the conference as a critical forum for deepening stakeholder collaboration and strengthening the Nigerian Army’s welfare investment architecture.
Major General Garba explained that the Army Officers’ Mess and Suites were established primarily to provide subsidised hotel accommodation for Nigerian Army personnel and other members of the Armed Forces, especially while on transit. He noted that the Nigerian Army has continued to invest in upgrading existing hospitality facilities while also exploring expansion into additional major cities across the country.
He disclosed that the department recently conducted its Third Quarter Army Officers’ Mess and Suites Stakeholders Meeting from 22 to 25 September 2025, an engagement that brought together management teams, stakeholders and hospitality experts for extensive deliberations. According to him, the meeting contributed to notable improvements in quality management systems and customer retention levels across Army hospitality establishments.
Expressing optimism about the future, Major General Garba stated that profitability is expected to improve further as newly completed and proposed facilities become operational. He explained that the 2025 stakeholders conference has assembled representatives of all Army Officers’ Mess and Suites nationwide, alongside regulators and leading hospitality industry players, to exchange ideas and explore innovative approaches to service delivery.
Outlining the conference programme, he said participants would be exposed to lectures on service excellence, the integration of artificial intelligence in hospitality operations, and the role of diversity and inclusiveness in enhancing customer service. He noted that these sessions are designed to stimulate robust discussions and reposition the Army Officers’ Mess and Suites as a competitive and respected national hospitality brand.
Major General Garba concluded by thanking the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for his unwavering support to the Department of Special Services and Programmes, while appreciating the presence of senior officers, industry professionals and other stakeholders whose contributions, he said, remain vital to the continued growth and success of Nigerian Army hospitality enterprises.
