40% of Nigerian Army Personnel Lack Housing – COAS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has revealed that over 40% of Nigerian Army personnel lack adequate accommodation. He disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of the newly constructed ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks’ in Asokoro, Abuja.
“Your Excellency may recall that on assumption of the office of the Chief of Army Staff, one of the critical issues on the table before you was the fact that about 40 per cent of Nigerian Army personnel are not accommodated,” Oluyede stated.
Highlighting the acute shortage of accommodation, Oluyede emphasized the need to address the challenge, especially as the army continues its efforts to combat insecurity nationwide and reintegrate frontline troops into barracks.
He explained that the project inaugurated represents only the first two phases of the original plan, adding, “In specific terms, the project comprises 16 Major General Quarters, 17 Brigadier General Quarters, 3×20 family Major to Colonel Quarters, 30×20 Family Lieutenant to Captain Quarters, and 60×30 Family Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Quarters. Others are 6×30 Family Corporal and Below Quarters, 40×21 Corporal and Below Quarters. These translate to accommodation for 614 personnel consisting of 170 officers and 444 soldiers and their families.”
The COAS expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his dedication to improving the welfare of military personnel, particularly in ensuring access to decent and affordable accommodation.
“Naming the new and modern army barracks after President Tinubu is a humble way of giving honour to whom honour is due,” he said, acknowledging the president’s exceptional support for the army’s operational and welfare needs.
Oluyede also credited his predecessors, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahya and the late Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for initiating the barracks project. He noted that their foresight and commitment to addressing the growing accommodation needs of the Nigerian Army in Abuja laid the foundation for the project’s completion.
“Today, we celebrate the visionary leadership and relentless efforts that created the foundation for us to complete and commission this project,” he said.
