The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Waidi Shaibu, on Friday called on state governments to deepen their support for soldiers’ welfare through land allocation and strategic partnerships, as the Nigerian Army commissioned an affordable housing estate and a shopping complex in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The projects the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) housing estate in Akobo and a newly completed shopping complex in Eleyele—were inaugurated at Phase 4, Pacesetter Estate, Akobo, as part of efforts to improve the post-service living conditions of Nigerian soldiers.
“It gives me great pleasure to commission the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers, Akobo project and the Post-Service Housing Development Limited Shopping Complex in Eleyele,” Shaibu said. “These projects represent a major welfare commitment of the Nigerian Army.”
The Army chief commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for his consistent support to military formations in the state, and also acknowledged the backing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja.
Paying tribute to the late former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Shaibu said the AHOOAS scheme was conceived to ensure that soldiers could own decent homes after retirement.
“Our late former Chief of Army Staff took the bold step of initiating this laudable scheme,” he said. “As someone who believes strongly that soldiers are the bedrock of the Nigerian Army, I have made the ‘Soldier-First Culture’ the foundation of my command philosophy.”
He reaffirmed that affordable post-service housing would remain a priority, describing the Akobo project as proof of the Army’s resolve to help every soldier realise the dream of home ownership in a location of their choice.
Shaibu disclosed that the pilot phase of the scheme in Idu, Abuja, delivered about 400 housing units, now fully occupied by soldiers and their families.
“Encouraged by the success recorded in Abuja, we are expanding the scheme to Ibadan, Benin, Jos and Uyo,” he said, urging other state governments to key into the initiative by allocating land.
He also described the Eleyele shopping complex as a catalyst for local economic growth, noting that it would support small businesses and serve residents of the area.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Army Post Service Housing Development Limited, Maj.-Gen. Isiah Alison, said the first phase of the AHOOAS project was commissioned in Abuja on December 18, 2024, delivering 400 housing units.
“Since taking over, I have built on the achievements of my predecessors,” Alison said, adding that the COAS approved substantial funding at the outset of his tenure to enable the execution of multiple projects nationwide.
He revealed that the Army currently has 80 housing units under construction in Jos, 40 completed units in Benin, 120 units nearing completion in Idu under Phase II, and additional units ongoing in Ibadan.
“In Ibadan alone, we have 30 units of two-bedroom flats for officers and another 30 units of three-bedroom flats for senior personnel,” he said, adding that five per cent of the houses would be allocated free to soldiers wounded in battle.
According to Alison, 70 per cent of the houses are reserved strictly for soldiers, while 25 per cent are allocated to civilians at discounted rates to promote integration.
“This is purely a welfare programme. A house built at about N30 million is sold to soldiers for as low as N7.5 million, while one built at N50 million is sold for about N8.5 million,” he explained.
On the commercial side, Alison disclosed that 22 shops have been completed in Eleyele, while another shopping complex with over 50 shops in Warri is about 60 per cent completed and scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2026.
He also acknowledged partners supporting the Army’s housing projects for widows of fallen heroes and skills acquisition programmes, some of which are expected to be handed over in January 2026.
The event was attended by the Oyo State Government, represented by the Commissioner for Lands, Housing, Survey and Urban Development, Mr. William Akin-Funmilayo; the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja; and other dignitaries. Highlights included a tour of the newly inaugurated estate and presentation of awards.
