Army Commissions Affordable Housing Scheme, Shopping Complex In Ibadan
••••COAS Calls For More State Support For Soldiers’ Welfare
•By OYENIYI KAZEEM
IBADAN – THE Nigerian Army on Friday commissioned the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) housing estate in Akobo, Ibadan, alongside a newly completed shopping complex in Eleyele, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Waidi Shaibu, urging state governments to deepen support for soldiers’ welfare through land allocation and strategic partnerships.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at Phase 4, Pacesetter Estate, Akobo, Waidi Shaibu said the projects reflects the Army’s commitment to improving the post-service living conditions of its personnel.
“It gives me great pleasure to commission the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers, Akobo project and the Post-Service Housing Development Limited Shopping Complex in Eleyele,” he said.
“These projects represent a major welfare commitment of the Nigerian Army.”
The Army chief commended Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for supporting military formations in the state.
“I must thank the Executive Governor of Oyo State for his consistent support to the Nigerian Army in Oyo State,” Shaibu said, while also appreciating the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, for the backing of the traditional institution.
Paying tribute to the late former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Shaibu said the AHOOAS scheme was initiated to ensure that soldiers could own decent homes after retirement.
“Our late former Chief of Army Staff took the bold step of initiating this laudable scheme. As someone who believes strongly that soldiers are the bedrock of the Nigerian Army, I have made the ‘Soldier-First Culture’ the foundation of my command philosophy,” he said.
He added, “The provision of affordable post-service housing for our soldiers will continue to receive priority attention. This project is a testament to our resolve to support the dream of every soldier to own a befitting home in a location of their choice.”
Shaibu disclosed that the pilot phase of the scheme in Idu, Abuja, delivered about 400 housing units now occupied by soldiers and their families.
“Encouraged by the success recorded in Abuja, we are expanding the scheme to Ibadan, Benin, Jos and Uyo,” he said.
“I therefore call on other state governments to key into this initiative by allocating land in their respective states.”
He also described the Eleyele shopping complex as economically significant, saying, “The shopping complex will serve residents, support small businesses and contribute to the economic development of the area.”
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Army Post Service Housing Development Limited, Maj.-Gen. Isiah Alison, said the first phase of the AHOOAS project was commissioned in Abuja on December 18, 2024, with 400 housing units.
“Since taking over, I have built on the achievements of my predecessors,” Alison said.
“On the very first day I briefed the Chief of Army Staff, he approved a substantial sum of money that enabled us to commence multiple projects concurrently across the country.”
He disclosed that, aside from the Akobo project, the Army currently has 80 housing units under construction in Jos, 40 completed units in Benin, 120 units nearing completion in Idu under Phase II, as well as additional housing units ongoing in Ibadan.
“In Ibadan alone, we have 30 units of two-bedroom flats for officers and another 30 units of three-bedroom flats for senior personnel,” he said.
“As part of our policy, five per cent of the houses will be allocated free of charge to soldiers wounded in battle.”
Alison added that 25 per cent of the housing units would be allocated to civilians at discounted rates to promote integration, while 70 per cent would be reserved strictly for soldiers.
“This is purely a welfare programme. A house built at about N30m is sold to soldiers for as low as N7.5m, while one built at N50m is sold for about N8.5m.”
“On the commercial aspect, we have completed 22 shops in Eleyele, while another shopping complex with over 50 shops is under construction in Warri at about 60 per cent completion and will be delivered in the first quarter of 2026.”Alison said.
He also acknowledged partners supporting the Army in housing projects for widows of fallen heroes and skills acquisition programmes, adding that some of the initiatives would be handed over in January 2026.
The event was attended by Oyo State Governor, who was ably represented by Mr. William Akin-Funmilayo, the Honourable Commissioner for Ministry of Lands, Housing, Survey, and Urban Development, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja among others.
Highlights of the event includes tour of the newly launched estate, presentation of awards among others.