The Nigerian Army (NA) has unveiled its latest accommodation and facilities named "Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks" in Abuja.
The newly constructed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks include 16 Major Generals Quarters, 34 Brigadier Generals Quarters, 60 Major - Colonel Flats, 60 Lieutenant Captain Flats and 180 Senior Non Commissioned Officers Blocks Flats.
Others include 264 Corporal and Below Flats. There are also worship centres, sports facilities and a power house in the Barracks. A perimeter fence goes round the Barracks with 3 entrance/exit gates. The Barracks also has a good road network, parking space, overhead/ground water tanks as well as hard and soft landscaping.
Over the years, the Nigerian Army has been plagued with an acute shortage of accommodation for personnel. The dearth of accommodation has also affected personnel of the Army Headquarters as well as other Nigerian Army establishments. Whilst one of the former Chiefs of Army Staff, Lieutenant General (Ambassador) TY Buratai ensured that the Nigerian Army Land was secured, yet another former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya (Rtd) deemed it necessary to initiate the construction of a Barracks to accommodate Nigerian Army personnel in Abuja.
Consequently, Major General PE Eromosele who was the then Coordinator Nigerian Army Special Projects was tasked to execute the project. Accordingly, the project which he conceptualised and planned commenced on 26 November 2021.
The project was later handed over to Major General ST Shafaru as the Coordinator Nigerian Army Special Projects on 5 August 2022. The construction continued during the tenure of the Late Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja CFR, who also approved additional funds.
The current Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General OO Oluyede NAM, on assumption of duty ensured the completion of the Barracks to arrest the acute shortage of living accommodation for Nigerian Army personnel serving in Abuja. The project was completed on the 9 January 2025.
This is according to his command philosophy , which is "To Consolidate the Transformation of the Nigerian Army Towards Bequeathing a Well-Motivated and Combat-Ready Force that can Effectively Discharge its Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment".
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In his remarks, the special guest of honour, President Bola Tinubu stressed that the barracks project aligns with the Federal government's commitment to enhancing troops' welfare, including providing adequate office and residential accommodation.
"Knowing that the federal government is always ready to provide, what our troops need to fulfil their mandates is essential for winning battles. You are our heroes and I thank you for what you have been doing for this country.
President Tinubu who commended the Chief of Army Staff for his foresight in developing the remarkable barracks for courageous men and women, appreciated the officers and personnel who contributed in various ways to the timely completion of this project. "
"Your welfare cannot and will not compromise on it. We will continue to commit resources to improve your welfare. What you all are doing for us is extremely remarkable, is appreciated and the only way we can show this is a continued support for men and women in our uniform. I congratulate all of you on this historic commissioning, making it a reality.
"What we must do is continuous development with right maintenance and commitment to the welfare of our men and women in the uniform." he said
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt General Olufemi Oluyede stressed that naming the new and modern army barracks after Mr. President, is just a humble way of giving honour to whom honour is due.
"It is an appreciation of His extraordinary support and commitment to improving the welfare and operational looks of the Nigerian Army, particularly in reducing its accommodation burden. Your Excellency, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, please permit me to briefly provide some context to the journey that led to this event.
The COAS salute former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, retired, and the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja for their invariable contributions to make the dream of this enduring legacy come true.
"Your Excellency may recall that on the assumption of the office at Chief of Army Staff, one of the critical issues at table before you was the fact that
Lt General Oluyede also said the newly constructed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks also has three worship centers, sports facilities, and a powerhouse. The external infrastructure includes the perimeter fence with 15 entrance gates, gatehouses, umbrellas, groundwater supply facilities, access road networks, and hard and soft landscaping, all constructed to the highest standards. Although this seems huge, but with the scale of accommodation deficits the Nigerian Army faces in Abuja, this is only but just a drop in the ocean.
Dignitaries at the commissioning includes, the Minister of Defence, Deputy Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Security Adviser, Chairmam Senate Committee on Army, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, former Chiefs of army staff, President DEPOWA, NAOWA and NASWA members, and senior officers of the Nigerian Army.