Army Chief Seeks Special Funding as 13,000 Recruits Face Housing Crisis
By Erewunmi Peace
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has raised concerns over a looming accommodation crisis in the Nigerian Army, warning that over 13,000 incoming recruits may be left without housing due to inadequate funding.
During a strategic meeting with the Senate Committee on Army at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, the COAS emphasized that the current envelope budgeting framework is no longer sufficient to address the operational and welfare needs of the military.
“This year alone, we are expecting about 13,000 new personnel, but there are no corresponding resources to provide accommodation for them,” General Oluyede stated. “We still have soldiers not being accommodated, and that number will continue to grow.”
The Army chief stressed the critical need for special funding outside of the envelope system, not only to house new recruits but to maintain troop morale and enhance operational readiness nationwide. He further highlighted the risk of future external threats, urging lawmakers to act proactively.
“It’s very critical. I want to pray that you look into this, and at the same time, look at how we can get special funds for our soldiers,” he appealed to the committee.
In response, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, acknowledged the challenges and pledged the committee’s support for improved budgetary allocation to the Army.
“We recognize the need to remove the Army from the rigid envelope budgeting structure and allow for more flexible, responsive funding,” Yar’Adua said. “We will continue engaging the executive to make sure our military is adequately funded.”
The Senator also revealed that the committee had recently conducted oversight visits to military formations in Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos states. According to him, while progress has been made in some areas, other projects still require urgent attention.
Another round of inspections is planned before the end of the year to assess the implementation of the 2025 military budget.
The Nigerian Army continues to play a critical role in the nation’s internal and external security, and stakeholders warn that unresolved infrastructure issues could hinder its effectiveness if not urgently addressed.
