The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to adopting world-class management standards to ensure the sustainability of its hospitality businesses across the country.
The COAS made this known in a remark delivered on his behalf by the Chief of Logistics (Army), Major General Adekunle Adeyinka, at the Army Officers Mess and Suites Stakeholders Conference held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites. The conference was themed “Conforming to World-Class Management Standards for Sustainable Nigerian Army Hospitality Business.”
Speaking earlier in his capacity as Chief of Logistics, Major General Adeyinka highlighted the need for a holistic, value-chain approach to managing Army hospitality assets. He identified operational gaps and advocated stronger internal collaboration, particularly with the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, to improve service delivery. He also proposed bundled service offerings, including transport support for guests, as a strategy to enhance patronage and overall competitiveness.
In the COAS’ address, Lieutenant General Shaibu noted that the timing of the conference was apt, given the evolving realities of hospitality management and the need for continuous improvement. He commended the Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes for implementing initiatives aimed at positioning Nigerian Army hospitality facilities in line with international best practices.
The COAS disclosed that the Army Hostess Mess and Suites currently operate in eight locations nationwide, providing subsidised accommodation, recreation, and entertainment in safe environments. He added that the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja, which recently commenced operations, offers world-class services, while the Army Hostess Mess and Suites in Ubaga is set to begin operations soon, further expanding the Army’s hospitality footprint.
Emphasising sustainability, the COAS stressed the importance of efficient coordination and diligent management of Army welfare investments. He urged participants to align the management of hospitality establishments with the pillars of his transformation philosophy, which seeks to build a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient Nigerian Army.
Lieutenant General Shaibu encouraged participants to fully engage with the conference lectures and discussions, noting that the selected topics were designed to stimulate curiosity, deepen professional competence, and improve service delivery. He expressed appreciation to industry stakeholders and resource persons for sharing expertise to support the Army’s drive towards excellence.
The COAS also thanked Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his continuous support, while reaffirming the loyalty of Nigerian Army officers and soldiers to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He concluded by formally declaring the Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes Annual Stakeholders Conference 2025 open and wishing participants fruitful deliberations.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Special Services and Programmes (CSSP), Major General Aminu Garba, explained that the Army Officers’ Mess and Suites are critical welfare investments of the Nigerian Army, established to provide subsidised hotel accommodation for personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces at large, particularly when on transit.
He noted that the Army has continued to upgrade existing facilities while expanding its hospitality footprint to major cities nationwide, a development that has compelled the Department of Special Services and Programmes to focus on repositioning the Mess and Suites for competitive service delivery and improved profitability.
Major General Garba disclosed that the Department successfully held the 3rd Quarter Army Officers’ Mess and Suites Stakeholders’ Meeting from 22 to 25 September 2025, which provided a platform for robust engagement among stakeholders, managers, hospitality professionals, and industry experts. He stated that, with the sustained support of the Chief of Army Staff, notable improvements have been recorded in quality management and customer retention across the Army Officers’ Mess and Suites, while expressing optimism for increased profitability as the newly completed Army Officers’ Mess and Suites Dividend and the proposed Command View Golf Resort, commence operations.
He added that the Annual Stakeholders’ Conference 2025 was convened to consolidate on these gains, bringing together representatives of Army Officers’ Mess and Suites nationwide, alongside regulators and leading hospitality industry players. According to him, the conference theme was carefully chosen to guide discussions, with lectures focusing on service excellence, the future of hospitality through artificial intelligence, and the impact of diversity and inclusiveness on customer service, all aimed at positioning the Army Officers’ Mess and Suites as a notable national brand in the hospitality industry.
The conference attracted Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, senior officers, heads of Nigerian Army establishments, representatives of Command Guest Houses management nationwide, as well as general managers, managing directors and chief executive officers from the hospitality industry, among other participants.
