The Nigerian Army has inaugurated 60 housing units comprising two- and three-bedroom flats, at Akobo in Ibadan, Oyo State, and allocated five percent of the houses free of charge to soldiers who sustained disabilities in the line of duty.
Seventy percent of the housing units were also reserved for soldiers at highly subsidized rates, as part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare of its personnel.
According to a statement by the Army’s spokesperson, Colonel Apollonia Anele, on Friday, the housing units are part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) Housing Scheme.
A shopping complex was also inaugurated under the Post Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL).
According to the statement, the projects were inaugurated by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, who said that affordable housing remains a critical pillar of the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda, in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The COAS said the project is a practical demonstration of the Nigerian Army’s “Soldier First” philosophy, noting that access to decent and affordable housing is central to troop morale, operational effectiveness, and post-service stability.
“The AHOOAS scheme is designed to ensure that soldiers retire in dignity, with secure home ownership in locations of their choice,” he said.
The Army Chief said the expansion of the scheme to Ibadan, Benin, Jos, Akwa Ibom, and other locations was informed by the successes of the pilot phase in Idu, Abuja, which, he said, delivered over 400 housing units.
He said plans are also underway to fast-track home ownership for Army Warrant Officers.
While commending the Oyo State Government for its sustained support to military formations and traditional institutions for promoting peace and cooperation, General Shaibu urged other state governments to support the scheme by allocating land for future phases.
He praised Post Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL) for its professionalism and acknowledged Family Homes Funds Limited for partnering with the Nigerian Army to build 50 housing units for widows of fallen heroes.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PHDL, Major General Isiah Alison, said the 60 housing units comprise 30 two-bedroom houses for Non-Commissioned Officers and 30 three-bedroom houses for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers.
He added that five percent of the houses were allocated free of charge to soldiers who sustained disabilities in the line of duty, while 70 percent of the units were reserved for soldiers at highly subsidized rates.
“Houses constructed at costs of up to ₦30 million were sold to soldiers for as low as ₦7.5 million,” Alison explained, describing the initiative as a deliberate welfare intervention rather than a commercial venture.
“Similar housing projects are ongoing in other locations, alongside service shopping complexes designed to support small businesses and stimulate the local economic activities of troops’ families,” he said.
