Army Commissions 80 Housing Units For Soldiers

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to personnel welfare with the commissioning of 80 housing units under the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) Estate in Jos, Plateau State.

Developed by Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL), the estate forms part of the Army’s long-term plan to provide affordable housing for serving and retired personnel.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Shaibu described the project as a major milestone in the Army’s welfare programme.

“It is with profound gratitude to Almighty God and a deep sense of honour that I am here today to witness the commissioning of the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers scheme in Jos. This is yet another significant milestone in our effort to improve the welfare of Nigerian Army personnel and create a future in which every soldier can look forward to a secure and dignified life after service,” he said.

The Army chief commended Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other dignitaries for supporting the initiative.

He said personnel welfare remains a key pillar of his command philosophy, stressing that the Army can only perform effectively when its personnel are well-motivated and adequately cared for.

“Welfare remains one of the foundational pillars of my command philosophy. The Nigerian Army can only fulfil its constitutional responsibilities if its personnel are well-motivated, properly equipped and adequately cared for,” he stated.

Shaibu said the AHOOAS initiative was designed to reward soldiers with affordable home ownership after years of service to the nation.

He disclosed that since assuming office in October 2025, the Army has expanded its housing programme, commissioning 60 housing units in Ibadan and another 80 in Jos, while 40 completed units in Benin and 120 units in Abuja are awaiting inauguration.

The COAS also announced that five per cent of all housing units have been reserved for soldiers who sustained life-changing injuries while serving the country.

“Those who have borne the physical scars of service must receive the care, recognition, and consideration they deserve,” he said.

Shaibu commended PHDL for complementing the estate with supporting infrastructure, including a shopping complex, children’s playground, roads, water supply, electricity, solar street lights and perimeter fencing.

He urged beneficiaries to maintain the facilities and promote peaceful coexistence within the estate.

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PHDL, Major General IA Allison, said the AHOOAS initiative was created to address the uncertainty many soldiers face after retirement.

“What we see is a deliberate effort to answer a question that every soldier asks: ‘After service, what next?’” he said.

Allison explained that the Jos project comprises 44 newly built housing units and 37 renovated units, bringing the total number of commissioned houses to 81.

He said the estate also features a rehabilitated waterworks, a 40-unit shopping complex, electricity and metering facilities, solar-powered street lights, children’s playgrounds, asphalt and interlocking roads, and an extended perimeter fence.

According to Allison, the Army deliberately accommodates a limited number of civilians in its estates to encourage peaceful coexistence and build sustainable communities.

He added that PHDL is also developing Smart Ville Estates, Luxury Estates, shopping complexes and upgrading existing housing infrastructure nationwide to improve the welfare of Nigerian military personnel.