The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel with the commissioning of a 60-unit Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) Housing Estate and a Post Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL) Shopping Complex at Akopo, Ibadan.
Speaking at the ceremony, the COAS described the project as a clear demonstration of the Nigerian Army “Soldier First” philosophy, noting that access to decent and affordable housing is vital to morale, operational effectiveness and post-service stability.
He explained that the AHOOAS initiative was designed to ensure soldiers retire with dignity through secure home ownership in locations of their choice.
Lieutenant General Shaibu recalled that the pilot phase of the scheme at Idu, Abuja, delivered over 400 housing units, all currently occupied by serving and retired soldiers and their families.
According to him, the success of the pilot informed the expansion of the programme to Ibadan, Benin, Jos, Akwa Ibom and other parts of the country, with plans underway to accelerate home ownership for Army Warrant Officers.
He commended the Oyo State Government for its consistent support to military formations and appreciated traditional institutions for promoting peace and cooperation.
The COAS also praised PHDL’s management for professionalism in project execution and acknowledged Family Homes Funds Limited for partnering with the Army to deliver 50 housing units for widows of fallen heroes.
Calling on other state governments to support the initiative through land allocation, the COAS stressed that affordable housing remains a critical pillar of the Army’s transformation agenda, aligned with the vision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of PHDL, Major General Isiah Alison, disclosed that the Ibadan estate consists of 60 units—30 two-bedroom houses for Non-Commissioned Officers and 30 three-bedroom houses for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers.
He added that five per cent of the units were allocated free to soldiers who sustained disabilities in the line of duty, while 70 per cent were offered at highly subsidised rates.
Major General Alison explained that houses built at costs of up to ₦30 million were sold to soldiers for as low as ₦7.5 million, describing the scheme as a deliberate welfare intervention rather than a profit-driven venture.
He noted that similar housing estates and service shopping complexes are ongoing nationwide to support small businesses and improve the economic wellbeing of soldiers’ families.
Reporting by Mary Fatile