The Nigerian Army and Ecobank Nigeria have strengthened their partnership to expand financial opportunities and welfare support for officers, soldiers and their families.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, stated this on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when the Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, led a delegation of the bank on a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

Shaibu said the partnership, which has existed for more than two decades, had remained mutually beneficial, particularly in promoting the financial well-being of Nigerian Army personnel.

“Strong institutional partnerships are important to sustaining a professional, resilient and motivated force,” the COAS said.

He directed the Army’s finance leadership to engage Ecobank on the development of flexible financial schemes tailored to the peculiar financial needs of military personnel.

The Army chief also urged the bank to expand its Corporate Social Responsibility interventions to complement the Nigerian Army’s welfare programmes, particularly initiatives supporting wounded-in-action personnel, widows and children of fallen soldiers.

Shaibu said increased support in these areas would contribute significantly to improving the welfare of troops and their families.

Earlier, the Ecobank Managing Director, Lawal, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for the confidence and partnership extended to the bank over the years.

He said the bank was ready to deepen the relationship through specialised banking services, insurance and lending solutions designed to improve financial inclusion and provide greater financial flexibility for officers and soldiers.

“Ecobank is prepared to deepen this relationship through specialised services, insurance and lending solutions designed to enhance financial inclusion and provide greater financial flexibility for officers and soldiers,” Lawal said.

He disclosed that the bank planned to 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.

According to him, the initiative would broaden personnel’s access to financial services while further strengthening institutional cooperation between the Nigerian Army and Ecobank.

The visit underscores the continued collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the financial institution in areas of personnel welfare, financial inclusion and institutional support.