The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, has performed the ground-breaking ceremony for Phase 2 of a new Army barracks in Asokoro, Abuja, marking another major step towards improving accommodation and welfare for Nigerian Army personnel.
The project follows the successful commissioning of Phase 1 in January 2025 and is in line with the COAS’s command philosophy, which prioritises troop welfare and efficient administration as critical pillars for building a professional and combat-ready force.
Speaking during the ceremony, Lieutenant General Shuaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to addressing accommodation challenges faced by its personnel nationwide.
He explained that the initiative represents a strategic shift from temporary measures to long-term, sustainable housing solutions.
According to him, the project comes at a crucial time as the Army intensifies efforts to tackle the acute housing deficit confronting its officers and soldiers, with a firm resolve to complete all ongoing residential projects while initiating new ones.
The COAS clarified that Phase 2 is an entirely new barracks, distinct from Phase 1, which was commissioned earlier this year.
He also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its continued support and funding, while reaffirming the loyalty and commitment of officers and men of the Nigerian Army to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Earlier, the Coordinator, Nigerian Army Special Projects, Major General Bayode Adetoro, disclosed that Phase 1 of the project provided accommodation for 614 personnel, while Phase 2 is projected to house about 1,800 personnel upon completion.
Major General Adetoro noted that the project is a practical demonstration of the COAS’s “Soldier First” philosophy, aimed at enhancing troop welfare through a comprehensive support system that ensures stability and peace of mind on the home front.
Reporting by Mary Fatile