The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reinforced the Nigerian Army's commitment to personnel welfare with the official commissioning of a new affordable housing estate in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A Concrete Step for Soldier Welfare
On December 22, 2025, Lt-Gen Shaibu inaugurated the 60-unit Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) Housing Estate. The event, which also featured the opening of a Post Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL) Shopping Complex in the Akobo area of Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the Army's ongoing efforts to improve the living conditions of its personnel and their families.
In his address, the Army Chief described the project as a practical demonstration of the Nigerian Army's 'Soldier First' philosophy. He emphasized that providing decent and affordable housing is not just a benefit but a central component for maintaining high troop morale, ensuring operational effectiveness, and guaranteeing stability for soldiers after their service.
Details of the Ibadan Housing Initiative
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PHDL, Major General Isiah Alison, provided specifics on the newly commissioned estate. The project consists of 60 housing units, split evenly between 30 two-bedroom houses for non-commissioned soldiers and 30 three-bedroom houses for senior non-commissioned officers.
Alison highlighted the project's welfare-focused nature, revealing that houses constructed at costs reaching up to N30 million were sold to soldiers for as low as N7.5 million. He stressed that this is a deliberate welfare intervention, not a commercial venture. The allocation also included a compassionate provision: five percent of the houses were given free of charge to soldiers who sustained disabilities in the line of duty.
Furthermore, 70 percent of the units were reserved for soldiers at highly subsidized rates, making home ownership a tangible reality for many. The accompanying shopping complex is designed to support small businesses run by troops' families and stimulate local economic activity.
National Expansion and Strategic Partnerships
Lt-Gen Shaibu noted that the Ibadan estate is part of a broader national expansion of the AHOOAS scheme. The success of a pilot phase in Idu, Abuja, which delivered over 400 housing units now fully occupied by soldiers, paved the way for extending the project to other locations including Benin, Jos, and Akwa Ibom.
The COAS used the occasion to commend the Oyo State Government for its consistent support to military formations and thanked traditional institutions for fostering peace. He also acknowledged the professionalism of PHDL and recognized Family Homes Funds Limited for a partnership that is constructing 50 housing units for widows of fallen heroes.
Looking ahead, Shaibu called on other state governments to support the scheme by providing land for future phases. He reiterated that affordable housing remains a critical pillar of the Nigerian Army's transformation agenda, aligning with the vision of President Bola Tinubu. Plans are also underway to fast-track home ownership for Army Warrant Officers, ensuring the scheme's benefits reach across ranks.
