By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Army and Ecobank Nigeria have moved to strengthen their over two-decade partnership, with a renewed focus on improving the financial well-being and welfare of officers, soldiers and their families.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, stated this on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when the Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Bolaji Lawal, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Shaibu said the relationship between the Nigerian Army and Ecobank, which has lasted for more than 20 years, had remained mutually beneficial, particularly in supporting the financial well-being of military personnel.
He emphasised the importance of strong institutional partnerships in sustaining a professional, resilient and motivated force, directing the Army’s finance leadership to engage Ecobank on the development of flexible financial schemes tailored to the peculiar financial needs of officers and soldiers.
The COAS also called on the bank to expand its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions to complement the Nigerian Army’s welfare programmes, particularly those supporting wounded-in-action personnel, widows and children of fallen heroes.
He said increased interventions in these areas would contribute meaningfully to improving the welfare of troops and their families.
Earlier, Lawal expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for the confidence and partnership it had extended to Ecobank over the years.
He disclosed that the bank was prepared to deepen the relationship through specialised financial services, insurance and lending solutions aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and providing greater financial flexibility for officers and soldiers.
Lawal further said Ecobank would extend bespoke financial services to major Nigerian Army institutions and formations, including the Nigerian Defence Academy, Depot Nigerian Army, Divisions and other formations across the country.
He explained that the initiative would broaden access to financial services for personnel while further strengthening institutional cooperation between the Nigerian Army and Ecobank.
