Army Chief commissions 80 housing units in Jos, reserves homes for wounded soldiers

Crime Diary

JOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Tuesday commissioned 80 housing units under the Nigerian Army Affordable Home Ownership Scheme in Jos, Plateau State, reaffirming his commitment to prioritising the welfare of personnel through what he described as a “Soldier-First Culture.”

The Army Chief said providing quality and affordable housing for officers and soldiers remains a strategic investment in their welfare, morale and operational effectiveness.

According to him, the initiative is designed to enhance combat readiness by ensuring that personnel and their families enjoy improved living conditions.

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“The welfare of our personnel and their families remains a central pillar of my command philosophy. A well-motivated and professionally fulfilled soldier is better positioned to deliver on the constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Army,” Shaibu said.

He disclosed that the newly inaugurated estate adds to the 60 housing units delivered last year, while another 120 units in Abuja and 40 units in Benin are scheduled for commissioning in the coming months.

Shaibu said the projects demonstrate the Nigerian Army’s sustained commitment to improving the living standards of its personnel across the country.

In a move aimed at recognising the sacrifices of troops injured in the line of duty, the Army Chief announced that five per cent of all housing units under the scheme have been reserved for soldiers wounded in action.

He described the gesture as a token of gratitude to personnel who sustained injuries while defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.

“Our wounded-in-action personnel have made enormous sacrifices for the nation. Reserving a percentage of these housing units for them is a demonstration of our appreciation for their courage and selfless service,” he said.

The COAS urged beneficiaries to maintain the facilities, describing home ownership as a symbol of stability, responsibility and a lasting reward for dedicated military service.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Post-Service Housing Development Limited, Major General Isaiah Alison, commended the Army Chief for placing personnel welfare at the centre of his leadership agenda.

He assured that additional housing projects were underway to accommodate more soldiers and improve their post-service welfare.

During the visit to Plateau State, Shaibu also commissioned newly completed trainee hostels and convenience facilities at the 3 Division Training School, Jos.

He said the projects reflect the Nigerian Army’s broader strategy of strengthening both personnel welfare and institutional capacity to improve operational readiness and support the achievement of national security objectives.