COAS Seeks Greater Private Sector Investment in Military Infrastructure, Veterans' Welfare

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for increased private sector investment in military infrastructure, troops' welfare and veterans' support, describing such partnerships as vital to strengthening national security, enhancing operational effectiveness and driving national development.

Lieutenant General Shaibu made the appeal on Friday while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), Ubon Udoh, and his delegation at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army Chief commended the Founder of ASR Africa and Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, for his sustained support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria through strategic corporate interventions.

Shaibu noted that Nigeria's evolving security landscape demands stronger collaboration between government institutions, the military and responsible private sector organisations to build national resilience and sustain ongoing security operations.

He stressed that investment in critical infrastructure, particularly rural road networks, would have far-reaching security and economic benefits.

According to him, improved roads would enhance troop mobility, enable rapid deployment to operational areas, strengthen logistics, boost economic activities in remote communities and deny criminal elements the opportunity to exploit inaccessible terrain as safe havens.

The COAS also underscored the importance of prioritising the welfare of serving personnel, especially soldiers wounded in action, as well as retired military personnel who had dedicated their lives to defending the nation. 

He said quality healthcare and comprehensive support systems for both serving and retired personnel were essential for maintaining morale, preserving combat effectiveness and sustaining a highly motivated and mission-ready force.

He expressed appreciation to BUA Group and ASR Africa for their continued investment in military healthcare, describing the interventions as significant contributions to the Nigerian Army's operational capability.

Lieutenant General Shaibu also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions. He acknowledged ASR Africa's ongoing construction of 120 accommodation units for Corporals and Below at Giri, Abuja, describing the project as a timely intervention that aligns with the Army's expansion programme.

He urged other corporate organisations to emulate ASR Africa by investing in military infrastructure, personnel welfare and other initiatives that support national security and sustainable development.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, conveyed the goodwill of the initiative's founder, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, and disclosed that work on 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 strategic partnership with the Nigerian Army through interventions aimed at strengthening operational capacity, improving personnel welfare and contributing to peace, security and national development.