Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for greater private sector investment in military infrastructure and personnel welfare…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for greater private sector investment in military infrastructure, troop welfare and veterans’ support, saying such partnerships are crucial to sustaining the Nigerian Army’s expansion approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and strengthening national security.
Speaking during a meeting with the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), Dr Ubon Udoh, and his delegation at Army Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, Shaibu said stronger collaboration between the military, government and responsible private sector organisations was essential to improving operational effectiveness and building national resilience.
The Army Chief commended ASR Africa founder and BUA Group Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu for the organisation’s continued support for the Armed Forces through investments in military healthcare and infrastructure.
He said the country’s evolving security environment required sustained cooperation to ensure the armed forces remained well-equipped and capable of responding to emerging threats.
Shaibu highlighted the importance of investing in rural infrastructure, particularly road networks, saying improved connectivity enables faster troop deployment, strengthens logistics, boosts economic activity in underserved communities and reduces opportunities for criminal groups to exploit remote areas.
He also stressed that the welfare of serving soldiers, especially those wounded in action, as well as retired military personnel, remained a strategic priority. According to him, quality healthcare and comprehensive support systems are essential to maintaining troop morale, combat readiness and a highly motivated force.
The COAS thanked BUA Group and ASR Africa for their continued investment in military healthcare, describing the interventions as valuable contributions to the operational capability of the Nigerian Army.
Shaibu also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, saying the move would strengthen the country’s security architecture.
He acknowledged ASR Africa’s ongoing construction of 120 accommodation units for corporals and lower-ranked personnel at Giri, Abuja, describing the housing project as a timely intervention supporting the Army’s expansion.
The Army Chief urged other corporate organisations to emulate ASR Africa by investing in military infrastructure, personnel welfare and projects that contribute to national security and sustainable development.
Earlier, ASR Africa Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr Ubon Udoh conveyed the goodwill of the organisation’s founder, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and said implementation of the Nigerian Army’s ₦2 billion allocation under ASR Africa’s ₦10 billion Security Sector Support Grant was progressing steadily towards completion.
Udoh reaffirmed ASR Africa’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with the Nigerian Army through initiatives aimed at strengthening operational capacity, improving personnel welfare and contributing to peace, security and national development.
