The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has raised concerns over the Nigerian Army’s financial limitations, particularly its inability to provide accommodation for incoming recruits due to inadequate funding.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Senate Committee on Army, Oluyede highlighted the urgent need to address the army’s budgetary shortfalls. According to Punch, the COAS explained that the current envelope budgeting system does not cater to the expanding operational and welfare demands of the force.

“We are currently facing operational challenges. This year alone, the army is expecting around 13,000 new recruits, yet there are no adequate resources to house them,” he stated. “Many soldiers are already without accommodation, and the situation is worsening.”

He urged lawmakers to consider establishing a special funding arrangement outside the envelope budgeting structure to better support the army’s combat readiness and personnel welfare.

“We must be proactive. Today it’s internal security, but we also need to be prepared for potential external threats. Housing our soldiers is critical to operational effectiveness,” Oluyede added.

In response, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, acknowledged the concerns and reiterated the committee’s commitment to advocating for more robust and flexible funding for the military.

“We have seen firsthand the impact of limited funds during our oversight visits. The envelope budgeting system does not work for the armed forces. We are pushing for its removal in favour of a more responsive funding framework,” he said.

Yar’Adua assured the COAS of continued legislative backing and collaboration with the executive arm to ensure the Nigerian Army is equipped to meet its constitutional responsibilities. He noted that the committee had divided into teams to inspect army formations across Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos states to ensure transparency and effective utilisation of appropriated resources.