Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, has revealed that over 40 percent of Nigerian Army personnel currently lack proper accommodation.

Oluyede made this statement on Thursday, January 23, while inaugurating the newly constructed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks in the Asokoro district of Abuja.

Highlighting the critical issue, the COAS emphasized the army’s significant housing deficit, noting that urgent measures are needed to address the situation.

“Your excellency may recall that on the assumption of the office of the chief of army staff, one of the critical issues on the table before you was the fact that about 40 percent of Nigerian army personnel are not accommodated,” Oluyede said at the event where President Tinubu was present.

He stated that the newly inaugurated barracks have the capacity to house only 614 personnel, comprising 170 officers and 444 soldiers.

“In specific terms, the project comprises 16 major general quarters, 17 brigadier general quarters, 3×20 family major to colonel quarters, 30×20 family lieutenant to captain quarters, and 60×30 family senior non-commissioned officers’ quarters,” he said.

“Others are 6×30 family corporal and below quarters, 40×21 corporal and below quarters. These translate to accommodation for 614 personnel consisting of 170 officers and 444 soldiers and their families.”

The COAS praised President Tinubu for his dedication to providing army officers with affordable, decent, and suitable accommodations.

He remarked that naming the new barracks after Tinubu was a humble gesture to honour a deserving leader.

Oluyede further explained that this act serves as a token of gratitude for the president’s exceptional support and unwavering commitment to enhancing the welfare and operational capabilities of the Nigerian Army.