Army Chief Calls for Greater Private Sector Investment in Military

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has appealed to private sector organisations to deepen their support for the Nigerian Army by investing in military infrastructure, personnel welfare and programmes for wounded and retired soldiers.

The Army Chief said stronger collaboration between the military, government institutions and responsible corporate organisations is essential to improving national security and enhancing the operational capacity of the Nigerian Army.

Key Highlights:

• Army Chief urged private firms to invest in military infrastructure and personnel welfare.
• He praised ASR Africa and BUA Group for supporting the Nigerian Army.
• ASR Africa is building 120 housing units and implementing a ₦2 billion Army support project.
• The Army said stronger partnerships will enhance security and operational capacity.

Shaibu made the appeal on Friday, July 24, 2026, while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), Dr. Ubon Udoh, and his delegation at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

He commended the founder of ASR Africa and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for the organisation’s continued support to the Armed Forces through various corporate interventions, noting that such contributions have strengthened military operations and improved the welfare of personnel.

The Army Chief emphasised that investment in critical infrastructure, particularly road networks in rural communities, plays a vital role in national security by improving troop mobility, accelerating deployments and strengthening logistics operations.

According to him, better road infrastructure also promotes economic activities in remote communities while making it more difficult for criminal elements to exploit isolated areas as safe havens.

Shaibu further stressed that the welfare of injured soldiers and retired personnel remains a major priority for the Nigerian Army, adding that quality healthcare and comprehensive support programmes are essential to sustaining morale, operational readiness and overall effectiveness.

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He expressed appreciation to BUA Group and ASR Africa for their investments in military healthcare, describing the interventions as valuable contributions to the Army’s capacity and the well-being of its personnel.

The Chief of Army Staff also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army and acknowledged ASR Africa’s ongoing construction of 120 housing units for corporals and other junior-ranked soldiers at Giri, Abuja.

He noted that the housing project would support the Army’s planned expansion from eight to twelve divisions and encouraged more corporate organisations to partner with the military by investing in projects that improve infrastructure and personnel welfare.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, Dr. Ubon Udoh, conveyed the goodwill of the organisation’s founder, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and disclosed that work was progressing steadily on the Nigerian Army’s ₦2 billion allocation under ASR Africa’s ₦10 billion Security Sector Support Grant.

Udoh reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian Army through initiatives designed to strengthen operational effectiveness, improve the welfare of personnel and contribute to peace, security and national development.