The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned 40 affordable housing units for Nigerian Army personnel in Benin City, Edo State, as part of efforts to improve the welfare of serving soldiers and provide them with decent accommodation after retirement.Nigeria travel guide
The housing units, delivered under the Army’s Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS), were commissioned on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mr Shaibu said providing affordable accommodation for soldiers and their families remained a key component of his Soldier-First command philosophy.
He said the Nigerian Army had a responsibility to cater for the welfare of its personnel beyond their years of active service, noting that soldiers who dedicate their productive years to defending the country deserve a secure and comfortable future after retirement.Nigeria travel guide
The Army Chief said the commissioning demonstrated the military’s commitment to balancing operational expansion and manpower development with the welfare and dignity of its personnel.
He explained that through the AHOOAS initiative, the Army was strengthening its commitment to ensuring that service to the nation was matched with lasting care and support for soldiers and their families.
Mr Shaibu also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support for the Nigerian Army and efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel.Nigeria travel guide
According to him, the President’s support has facilitated initiatives aimed at strengthening the Army’s operational capacity, expanding its formations and improving the living conditions of soldiers and their families.
He assured that the Army would continue to translate the support into tangible improvements in personnel welfare, professional effectiveness and national security.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post-Service Housing Development Limited, Major General KO Ukandu, described AHOOAS as a major pillar of the Nigerian Army’s welfare intervention.Nigeria travel guide
He said the initiative was designed to provide soldiers with opportunities to own decent and affordable homes while in service and secure their families’ future after retirement.
Mr Ukandu commended the COAS for his sustained support for the programme and acknowledged the contributions of joint venture partners, contractors, consultants and other stakeholders to the successful completion of the Benin project.
He also recognised the efforts of his predecessor, Major General IA Allison, towards the delivery of the housing scheme.
The 40 housing units comprise 20 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom semi-detached flats.
The estate is equipped with supporting infrastructure, including a 14,000-litre elevated water tank, 450 metres of paved access roads, solar-powered streetlights, a perimeter fence and a 300KVA transformer.
The facilities are intended to provide residents with a functional and secure living environment.
A notable component of the AHOOAS scheme is the reservation of five per cent of the housing units for soldiers who sustained severe injuries in the line of duty.
The provision is aimed at recognising the sacrifices of wounded personnel and ensuring that soldiers who suffered serious injuries while defending the country are not neglected after leaving active service.
The Benin project represents another phase in the nationwide expansion of the housing initiative.
Previous deliveries under the scheme include 400 housing units in Idu, Abuja; 60 units in Akobo, Ibadan; and 80 units in Jos, Plateau State.
Construction of another 20 housing units is ongoing in Bauchi State.
Similarly, 120 three-bedroom housing units under Phase Two of the Idu project have reached 95 per cent completion, while work is also progressing on Phase Three of the development.
The Nigerian Army said the programme was part of its broader effort to improve the living conditions of personnel and provide long-term housing support for soldiers and their families.
The commissioning was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.