In a significant move to bolster administrative efficiency and personnel welfare, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, officially commissioned the new corporate headquarters of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL) on Thursday, 4 December 2025. The ceremony took place in the highbrow Asokoro district of Abuja, Nigeria's capital.
A Strategic Pillar for Army Welfare
The new headquarters stands as a physical testament to the Nigerian Army's intensified focus on the well-being of its personnel. Lieutenant General Shaibu, who assumed command earlier this year, emphasized that the project is a cornerstone of his agenda to transform the force into a more professional, adaptable, and resilient entity. He directly linked robust welfare support to the ongoing challenges faced by troops across Nigeria, including the persistent fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North-East, as well as banditry and communal conflicts in the North-West and North-Central regions.
NAPL, a limited liability company fully owned by the Nigerian Army, has evolved into a central component of the force's welfare architecture. Initially set up to professionally manage the army's expanding real estate and commercial interests, the firm now plays a critical role in providing accommodation, developing logistics infrastructure, and creating investment platforms. These initiatives are designed to supplement government funding and directly improve the living and working conditions of soldiers and their families.
Modern Facility for Enhanced Operations
During the inauguration, the Group Managing Director of NAPL, Brigadier General Isa Doma (Rtd), detailed the modern features of the new headquarters. The facility is equipped to significantly boost the company's operational capacity and service delivery. Key amenities include:
- A guest house for official visitors.
- Enhanced office spaces and a conference room.
- A mini-auditorium and a dedicated worship centre.
- Upgraded internet architecture and a dedicated 500 KVA power transformer.
- Ample car parking space.
Brigadier General Doma described the headquarters as a symbol of the collective resolve to strengthen NAPL's mandate in supporting the army.
Foundations of Reform and Future Commitment
The Army Chief took a moment to acknowledge the foundational work of his predecessors and NAPL's leadership. He specifically praised the Chairman of NAPL, retired Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun, and former Chiefs of Army Staff, including Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (Rtd) and Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya (Rtd), who were present at the event. Their earlier stewardship in counter-insurgency operations and institutional development paved the way for current welfare-focused initiatives.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he termed "steadfast support" for defence sector reforms. This aligns with the Tinubu administration's commitment to modernizing Nigeria's security apparatus, a priority reflected in the proposed 2025 federal budget which includes increased allocations for equipment, infrastructure, and personnel welfare.
The event was attended by a host of senior serving and retired military officers, including principal staff from the Army Headquarters. This turnout underscored a unified commitment within the army's leadership to professionalism and the long-term welfare of its personnel. The inauguration of the NAPL headquarters marks a concrete step in the ongoing restructuring of military-owned businesses to meet global corporate governance standards, with an emphasis on transparency and professionalism to sustain these vital welfare programmes.
