The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigerian Army Medal, 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 in Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The development forms part of sustained efforts by the Nigerian Army to enhance the living standards, morale and post-service stability of its officers and soldiers.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the project as a practical demonstration of the Army’s Soldier First philosophy. He stressed that access to decent and affordable housing is critical to troop morale, operational effectiveness and dignified retirement.
The COAS recalled that the pilot phase of the AHOOAS project at Idu, Abuja, delivered over 400 housing units, all of which are currently occupied by soldiers and their families. He noted that the success of the pilot scheme informed the expansion of the project to Ibadan, Benin, Jos, Akwa Ibom and other locations nationwide. He further disclosed that plans are underway to fast-track home ownership opportunities for Army Warrant Officers.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the Oyo State Government for its continued support to military formations within the state and appreciated traditional institutions for fostering peace and cooperation. He also praised the management of PHDL for its professionalism in project delivery and acknowledged Family Homes Funds Limited for partnering with the Nigerian Army to construct 50 housing units for widows of fallen heroes.
The COAS called on other state governments to support the AHOOAS initiative through land allocation for future phases, emphasising that affordable housing remains a key pillar of the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda in line with the vision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PHDL, Major General Isiah Alison, disclosed that the Ibadan project comprises 60 housing units, including 30 two-bedroom houses for Non-Commissioned Soldiers and 30 three-bedroom houses for Senior Non-Commissioned Soldiers.
He revealed that five per cent of the houses were allocated free of charge to soldiers who sustained disabilities in the line of duty, while 70 per cent of the units were offered to soldiers at highly subsidised rates.
According to him, houses constructed at costs of up to ₦30 million were sold to soldiers for as low as ₦7.5 million, underscoring the initiative as a deliberate welfare intervention rather than a commercial venture.
Major General Alison added that similar housing projects are ongoing across other locations nationwide, alongside the construction of service shopping complexes aimed at supporting small businesses and stimulating the economic activities of soldiers’ families.
