The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has restated the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to providing quality and affordable housing for its personnel through the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) scheme.

Speaking to journalists on Monday in Abuja, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post-Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL), Major General Isaiah Allison, highlighted the initiative as part of the COAS’s “Soldier First” philosophy. He explained that this vision was aimed at ensuring the welfare of troops during service and after retirement.

According to him, the welfare of soldiers remains a fundamental pillar of military readiness and national security. Providing decent housing, he said, is a central element of that strategy.

“Our flagship programme, the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS), is a significant step towards addressing post-service accommodation needs for our officers and soldiers,” he stated.

“A soldier who knows he’s retiring into a home is one who can focus on duty with peace of mind.”

Allison further revealed that 400 housing units under the AHOOAS scheme had already been delivered in Idu, Abuja. Beneficiaries had received their keys, with a portion of the homes allocated at no cost to soldiers wounded in action.

He added that the housing scheme includes two-bedroom flats priced at approximately ₦7.8 million and three-bedroom units at around ₦8.5 million. The homes are made affordable through a long-term mortgage plan, allowing repayment over 15 to 25 years.

“This is a carefully planned welfare initiative to support a smooth transition to post-service life. Most beneficiaries repay through monthly salary deductions over an extended period,” he explained.

Allison also noted that additional housing projects were ongoing across the country, with strict quality control measures in place to prevent substandard construction and building collapse.

“We are not just constructing buildings; we are building trust, security, and stability for our troops and their families. For us, quality is non-negotiable,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, the Acting Public Relations Officer of PHDL, Lieutenant Augustina Nkeonye, appealed to the media to actively support the Army’s housing efforts through fair and factual reporting.

She described the media as a vital partner in keeping the public informed about the military’s ongoing welfare projects for its personnel.