Shaibu Pledges N25m Emergency Health Fund for Retired Army Officers
By Chidi Omeje
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has pledged ₦25 million to the Emergency Health Fund of the Course 39 Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) United Welfare Association (UWA), reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the welfare of serving and retired personnel.
Shaibu made the pledge on Thursday, September 17, 2026, when members of the association’s Executive Committee, led by its President, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola (Rtd), paid him a courtesy visit at Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The Army Chief described sustained engagement with retired officers and veterans as an important component of institutional development, stressing that their operational experience, professional knowledge and leadership expertise remained valuable to the Army.
He said continued interaction with veterans would help strengthen institutional memory, mentorship and professional continuity, while providing the service with additional perspectives for confronting contemporary security challenges.
According to Shaibu, the Army’s responsibility for the welfare of its personnel does not end with retirement, noting that caring for those who had served the nation was an enduring obligation.
The COAS also outlined a number of ongoing initiatives aimed at transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, technologically enabled and combat-ready force.
He disclosed that the Army had expanded its force structure to 12 divisions, while 28,000 recruits were being integrated through regional training depots in Zaria, Osogbo and Amasiri Edda to improve operational reach and responsiveness across the country.
Read Also:
Shaibu further revealed that the Army was implementing a revised training curriculum designed to place greater emphasis on marksmanship, physical fitness and fieldcraft.
He said the objective was to produce troops better equipped to operate effectively in increasingly complex and rapidly evolving security environments.
Beyond conventional capabilities, the COAS said the Nigerian Army was advancing its transition towards multi-domain operations, incorporating space, cyber and non-kinetic capabilities into its operational architecture.
He added that the Army was also developing its aviation capability and expanding the use of unmanned aerial systems to enhance situational awareness, operational mobility and responsiveness to emerging threats.
The Army Chief also drew attention to the institutionalisation of the Senior Executive Transition Programme, which is designed to prepare retiring senior officers and their spouses for life after active military service.
He described the initiative as part of a broader welfare framework aimed at supporting personnel not only during their years of active service but also during the transition into retirement.
Earlier, Daramola congratulated Shaibu on his appointment as Chief of Army Staff and elevation to the rank of Lieutenant General.
He commended the COAS for efforts to strengthen the Army’s force structure and operational capabilities, while expressing appreciation for the support extended to members of Course 39, particularly in health insurance, emergency assistance and capacity-building programmes.
Daramola assured the COAS that members of Course 39 remained ready to deploy their extensive operational, technical and leadership experience in support of the Nigerian Army.
He said retired members of the course could contribute through mentorship, advisory services and specialised expertise towards strengthening the Army and advancing national security objectives.
The engagement underscores the Army’s effort to leverage the experience of its retired personnel while simultaneously pursuing reforms in force structure, training, technology and personnel welfare.
