By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Dec. 19, 2025 (NAN) – In a landmark move to bolster the long-term welfare of its personnel, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Friday inaugurated a 60-unit housing estate under the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) scheme in Ibadan, Oyo State. The event marks a significant expansion of a program designed to address one of the most pressing concerns for serving and retiring military personnel: secure and affordable housing.
Simultaneously inaugurated was a Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL) Shopping Complex at the Akopo, Ibadan location. This dual-purpose development underscores a holistic approach to troop welfare, aiming not only to provide shelter but also to foster sustainable communities with economic opportunities for soldiers and their families.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, on Friday in Abuja.
In his keynote address, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu framed the initiative as far more than a construction project. He described it as a “practical and non-negotiable expression of the Nigerian Army’s dedication to the holistic welfare of its troops.” He elaborated that the scheme is a strategic investment in national security, directly linking soldier morale and operational effectiveness to post-service stability.
“A soldier who is preoccupied with the anxiety of where his family will live after his service cannot be fully focused on the demanding tasks of national defense,” Shaibu stated. “The AHOOAS scheme is engineered to eliminate this anxiety, ensuring that every soldier can retire with dignity, enjoying the fundamental security of home ownership in a location of their choice.”
The COAS provided critical context on the program’s evolution. “The Ibadan project is not an isolated event but a deliberate phase in a national rollout. It follows the successful pilot phase at Idu, Abuja, which delivered over 400 housing units now fully occupied by Army personnel and their families, validating the model’s viability and impact.”
He announced an ambitious expansion plan, with the scheme already extending to Benin and Jos, and more locations nationwide in the pipeline. A specific focus, he noted, is on accelerating home ownership for Army Warrant Officers, a senior cadre whose expertise is vital to the institution.
Shaibu extended commendations to the Oyo State Government for its sustained support to military formations and praised local traditional institutions for their role in fostering peace—a necessary precondition for such developments. He also lauded the management of PHDL, the Army’s special purpose vehicle for the project, for their professionalism in delivery.
In a poignant highlight, the COAS acknowledged the Family Homes Funds Limited for constructing 50 separate housing units for widows of fallen heroes, integrating a critical welfare component for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Looking forward, Shaibu issued a call to action for collaboration, urging other state governments to partner in the initiative by allocating land for future phases. He emphasized that affordable housing is a cornerstone of the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda, which aligns with the broader national vision of President Bola Tinubu for social and economic security.
Providing granular detail on the Ibadan estate, the Managing Director/CEO of PHDL, Maj.-Gen. Isiah Alison, revealed the composition and groundbreaking financial model. The estate comprises 30 units of two-bedroom houses for junior soldiers and 30 units of three-bedroom for senior personnel.
The affordability mechanism, however, is where the program’s transformative nature becomes clear. Alison disclosed that five percent of the houses were allocated free of charge to soldiers who sustained severe, career-ending injuries in service—a direct recognition of their sacrifice.
For the remaining units, the subsidy is profound. “This is a deliberate welfare intervention, not a commercial venture,” Alison stressed. “Houses constructed at costs of up to ₦30 million are sold to soldiers for as low as ₦7.5 million.” This represents a subsidy of up to 75%, making homeownership a tangible reality for ranks that would otherwise be priced out of the market. He noted that 70% of the units were offered at these highly subsidized rates, with the balance likely at slightly higher, yet still below-market, tiers.
This model demonstrates a strategic shift from short-term benefits to long-term asset creation for soldiers, potentially reducing post-retirement financial vulnerability and contributing to overall economic stability for military families. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
OYS/YMU
Edited by Yakubu Uba
