COAS Deepens Soldier-First Policy, Commissions 80 Affordable Homes for Troops in Jos
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reinforced the Nigerian Army’s Soldier-First Culture with the commissioning of 80 housing units under the Nigerian Army Affordable Home Ownership Scheme in Jos, Plateau State, describing personnel welfare as a critical pillar of operational effectiveness and national security.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, General Shaibu said the provision of quality and affordable housing is a deliberate investment in the welfare, morale and combat readiness of soldiers who continue to make enormous sacrifices in defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
The Army Chief stressed that the welfare of personnel and their families remains central to his command philosophy, noting that motivated and professionally fulfilled soldiers are better equipped to execute the constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Army.
He revealed that the newly commissioned 80 housing units add to the 60 units delivered in 2025, while another 120 units in Abuja and 40 units in Benin are scheduled for commissioning in the coming months. According to him, the projects underscore the Army’s sustained commitment to improving the living conditions of its personnel nationwide.
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In a move widely seen as recognition of the sacrifices made by frontline troops, General Shaibu announced that five per cent of the housing units have been reserved for soldiers wounded in action. He described the allocation as a demonstration of the Army’s enduring gratitude to personnel who sustained injuries while defending the nation, adding that the gesture reflects the institution’s resolve to honour their courage and service.
The COAS urged beneficiaries to protect and maintain the facilities, describing home ownership as not only a reward for dedicated service but also a source of stability, dignity and long-term security for military families.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Post-Service Housing Development Limited, Major General Isaiah Alison, commended the COAS for making personnel welfare a defining feature of his leadership. He disclosed that additional housing projects are already underway to extend the benefits of the Affordable Home Ownership Scheme to more soldiers across the country.
As part of his visit to Jos, Lieutenant General Shaibu also commissioned newly completed trainee hostels and convenience facilities at the 3 Division Training School. The projects, according to the Army Chief, reflect a comprehensive approach to strengthening both personnel welfare and institutional capacity, with the ultimate goal of enhancing operational readiness and improving the Nigerian Army’s ability to meet evolving national security challenges.
The latest housing initiative further underscores the Nigerian Army’s growing emphasis on improving the quality of life of its personnel, a strategy military authorities believe will continue to boost morale, professionalism and mission effectiveness in ongoing counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and other internal security operations across the country.