COAS INCREASES TROOPS’ DAILY FEEDING ALLOWANCE FROM N1500 TO N3,000

In addition to the feeding allowance, Oluyede acknowledged the housing challenges faced by serving warrant officers, many of whom do not own homes for retirement. To address this, he revealed that the Nigerian Army had introduced a housing scheme aimed at providing affordable housing options for retiring personnel.

He said, “I am going to build on what my predecessors have done in improving the welfare of our personnel. In December, under the Nigerian Army Housing Scheme, we unveiled the first set of houses in Abuja. As I speak, we are beginning a new set in Ibadan. We have also secured land for another set in Jos. Additionally, we are developing housing units in Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Akwa Ibom states.”

The COAS emphasised that the scheme offers two- or three-bedroom houses at prices as low as N8 million, making homeownership more accessible for soldiers.

“This will ensure a widespread distribution of houses that soldiers can subscribe to. You will all agree with me that there is nowhere in Nigeria where you can buy a two- or three-bedroom house for as low as N8 million,” he said.

Oluyede also announced a low-interest loan scheme for soldiers, with a 3% interest rate, significantly lower than commercial bank rates, which typically range around 25%. He advised soldiers to borrow responsibly, assuring them that more funds would be injected into the scheme to support those in need.

Addressing complaints about soldiers purchasing their uniforms, the COAS assured troops that the Army had begun distributing 100,000 kits per month to ensure all personnel received necessary supplies.

He stated that uniforms had already been allocated to smaller divisions, with the next phase covering the 82nd Division and assured that more personnel would receive another set before the end of the year.