President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, pledging continued support to ease the responsibilities of troops and enhance their living conditions.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Bola Tinubu Barracks in Abuja, the President emphasized the government’s readiness to provide the necessary resources to empower the military.
“Knowing that the Federal Government is always ready to provide what our troops need to fulfil their mandates is essential for winning battles,” Tinubu stated. “You are our heroes, and I thank you for what you have been doing for this country. Your welfare cannot (be compromised), and we will not compromise on it. We will continue to commit resources to improve your welfare. What you all are doing for us is extremely remarkable and appreciated, and the only way we can show this is through continued support for men and women in our uniform.”
He further urged the troops to prioritize maintenance to ensure the new accommodation remains in good condition.
“What we must do is continuous development with right maintenance and commitment to the welfare of our men and women in uniform,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, highlighted the pressing issue of accommodation deficits within the Nigerian Army, revealing that over 40 percent of personnel still lack proper housing.
“Your Excellency may recall that on the assumption of the office of Chief of Army Staff, one of the critical issues at the table before you was the fact that about 40 per cent of Nigerian Army personnel are not accommodated. The project being inaugurated today is only phases one and two of the original plan,” Oluyede disclosed.
Providing details of the new facilities, Oluyede explained that the barracks consist of accommodations for 614 personnel, including 170 officers and 444 soldiers with their families.
“In specific terms, the project comprises 16 Major General Quarters, 17 Beginner General Quarters, 3 by 20 Family Major to Colonel Quarters, 30 by 20 Family Lieutenant to Captain Quarters, and 60 by 30 Family Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Quarters.
“Others are 6 by 30 Family Corporal and Below Quarters, 40 by 21 Corporal and Below Quarters. These translate to accommodation for 614 personnel, consisting of 170 officers and 444 soldiers and their families,” he said.
The barracks also include three worship centers, sports facilities, a powerhouse, a perimeter fence with 15 gates, groundwater supply systems, and road networks, all constructed to meet high standards.
However, Oluyede acknowledged that the project only makes a modest dent in the army’s accommodation challenges, describing it as “just a drop in the ocean.”
