The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned 30 family accommodation units at Ribadu Cantonment in Kaduna as part of efforts by the Nigerian Army to improve the welfare and living conditions of its personnel and their families.
The accommodation, comprising two blocks of family housing units, was unveiled by Shaibu on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, the project is part of the Nigerian Army’s broader infrastructure development and renewal programme aimed at improving facilities across its formations and units nationwide.
Speaking during the unveiling, the COAS said the provision of decent accommodation remained a key component of personnel welfare and administration under his command philosophy.
He said the welfare of soldiers and their families was closely linked to their morale, motivation and operational effectiveness.
“The provision of decent accommodation remains an important component of personnel welfare and robust administration under my Command Philosophy,” Shaibu was quoted as saying.
The Army chief explained that the need for additional accommodation had become more pressing with the expansion of the Army’s force structure and operational reach.
He stressed that the growth of the Nigerian Army must be matched by corresponding investment in infrastructure and welfare facilities capable of supporting personnel and their families.
Shaibu noted that Ribadu Cantonment hosts several Nigerian Army establishments, expressing optimism that the newly completed housing units would help ease pressure on existing accommodation.
He urged the beneficiaries to take ownership of the facilities and ensure their proper use and maintenance.
The COAS also disclosed that similar accommodation projects were ongoing in barracks and cantonments across the country as part of efforts to rehabilitate ageing infrastructure and provide additional facilities to meet the evolving needs of the Nigerian Army.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support and provision of resources towards improving the welfare and living conditions of Nigerian Army personnel and their families.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Abubakar Muhammed Wase, commended the COAS for prioritising the welfare of troops.
Wase described the project as timely and morale-boosting, while assuring that the facilities would be properly utilised and maintained.
