COAS seeks private sector investment in military infrastructure, veterans’ welfare

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for greater private sector investment in military infrastructure, troops’ welfare, veterans’ support and national security.

The COAS made the call on Friday while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, Dr Ubon Udoh, and his delegation at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.

According to a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Shaibu described private sector partnerships as “essential to strengthening national security, enhancing operational effectiveness and accelerating national development.”

The statement said the COAS commended the founder of ASR Africa and Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, “for his sustained commitment to supporting the Armed Forces of Nigeria through impactful corporate interventions.”

It quoted Shaibu as saying the evolving security environment required “stronger collaboration among government institutions, the military and responsible private sector organisations to build national resilience and sustain ongoing security efforts.”

The COAS stressed that investments in critical rural infrastructure, particularly road networks, had direct security and economic benefits.

According to the statement, he explained that improved road connectivity “enhances the mobility of troops, facilitates rapid deployment to operational areas, improves logistics, stimulates economic activities in underserved communities and denies criminal elements the opportunity to exploit difficult terrain and isolated settlements as safe havens.”

Shaibu further emphasised that the welfare of soldiers, especially those wounded in action, and the continued care of retired personnel who had devoted their lives to defending the nation remained a strategic priority.

He was quoted as saying, “quality healthcare and comprehensive support systems for serving personnel and veterans are indispensable to sustaining morale, preserving combat effectiveness and maintaining a highly motivated and mission-ready force.”

The COAS therefore expressed “profound appreciation” to BUA Group and ASR Africa for their continued investments in military healthcare, describing the interventions as “valuable contributions to the operational capability of the Nigerian Army.”

The statement also said Shaibu appreciated President Bola Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army.

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” supporting the Army’s ongoing expansion following presidential approval to increase its operational structure from eight to 12 divisions.

Shaibu urged other corporate organisations to emulate ASR Africa’s example by investing in initiatives that improve military infrastructure, personnel welfare and other projects that contribute to national security and sustainable development.

Earlier, Udoh conveyed the goodwill of the founder of ASR Africa, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu.

The statement quoted him as disclosing that implementation of the Nigerian Army’s N2bn allocation under ASR Africa’s N10bn Security Sector Support Grant was “progressing steadily towards completion.”

Udoh reaffirmed ASR Africa’s “unwavering commitment to sustaining its strategic partnership with the Nigerian Army through interventions that strengthen operational capacity, improve personnel welfare and contribute meaningfully to peace, security and national development.”