The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the welfare of serving and retired personnel with the commissioning of 40 affordable housing units in Benin City, Edo State.
The housing project, delivered under the Army’s Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS), was commissioned on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Shaibu said providing decent and affordable accommodation for soldiers and their families remained a key component of his Soldier-First command philosophy, stressing that the Army’s responsibility to its personnel should extend beyond their years of active service.
He noted that soldiers who dedicate their productive years to defending the country deserve a secure and comfortable future after retirement.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support for the Nigerian Army and commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel.
According to him, the President’s support has facilitated initiatives aimed at strengthening the Army’s operational capacity, expanding its formations and improving the living conditions of soldiers and their families.
He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to translate the President’s support into tangible improvements in personnel welfare, professional effectiveness and national security.
Shaibu said the commissioning demonstrated that the Army was giving equal attention to personnel welfare and dignity while expanding its formations, strengthening its manpower and enhancing operational capabilities.
He added that the AHOOAS initiative reinforced the principle that military service should be matched with sustained care and support, including after retirement.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post-Service Housing Development Limited, Major General K.O. Ukandu, described AHOOAS as a major component of the Nigerian Army’s welfare intervention.
Ukandu said the initiative was designed to provide soldiers with opportunities to own decent and affordable homes while in service and secure their families’ future after retirement.
He commended the COAS for his continued support for the programme and appreciated the joint venture partners, contractors, consultants and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful completion of the project.
He also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Major General I.A. Allison, towards the delivery of the housing scheme.
The 40 housing units comprise 20 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom semi-detached flats, alongside essential infrastructure to provide a secure and functional residential environment.
The facilities include a 14,000-litre elevated water tank, 450 metres of paved access roads, solar-powered streetlights, a perimeter fence and a 300KVA transformer.
A notable feature of the housing initiative is the reservation of five per cent of the units for soldiers who sustained severe injuries in the line of duty.
The provision, according to the Army, reflects its commitment to recognising the sacrifices of wounded personnel and ensuring that soldiers who suffer serious injuries while defending the country are not neglected after service.
The Benin project represents another milestone in the nationwide expansion of AHOOAS.
Previous deliveries under the scheme include 400 housing units in Idu, Abuja; 60 in Akobo, Ibadan; and 80 in Jos, Plateau State.
The Army also disclosed that construction of 20 housing units was ongoing in Bauchi, while 120 three-bedroom apartments under Phase Two of the Idu project had reached 95 per cent completion.
Work is also progressing on Phase Three of the Abuja housing development.
The statement was signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, on November 6, 2026.
