The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has voiced concerns about the Nigerian Army’s financial challenges and the lack of housing for its growing personnel.
Speaking on Monday during a condolence visit by the Senate Committee on Army, led by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, Oluyede emphasized the strain caused by recruiting approximately 15,000 personnel annually without corresponding support for their accommodation.
He highlighted the diminishing resources allocated to the Army despite the increasing recruitment numbers and warned that soldiers might face housing shortages if Nigeria’s security challenges are resolved.
Lt. Gen. Oluyede appealed to the National Assembly to address these issues in the upcoming budget.
He stated, “Nigeria belongs to all of us, and without your support, it will be very difficult to secure the country. Over the years, the resources allocated to the Nigerian Army have been dwindling. This is a critical opportunity to advocate for increased attention to our needs, especially housing for our recruits.”
He expressed concern about the future of personnel, noting that the lack of accommodation poses a significant challenge. “If we manage to tackle the security challenges, where will these soldiers retire to? This keeps me up at night,” he added.
The Army Chief also called for investments in technological advancements to enhance the military’s effectiveness in combating security threats.
Senator Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, encouraged the Acting COAS to uphold the legacy of his predecessor, the late Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. Describing Lagbaja as a practical, honest, and knowledgeable officer, Yar’Adua commended his leadership in improving the country’s security and pledged the Senate’s support to Oluyede in continuing those achievements.
The Senator also urged the Army to integrate more technology into its operations to better tackle terrorism and other security challenges.
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