The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu has urged army officers to commence early investment in preparation to becoming homeowners to guarantee a stable and independent life after retirement.
Shaibu said this on Tuesday at the commissioning of the Nigerian Army Welfare Limited by Guarantee (NALWG) Luxury Estate at Yaba, Lagos State.
According to him, homeownership remained one of the most important investments an individual could make toward long term stability and financial independence.
"It provides a permanent family base, reduces exposure to the uncertainties of the rental market and offers an asset that may appreciate in value over time.
"The true reward of prudent investment during active service becomes evident when an officer retires with the assurance that his family has a home to call its own.
"Therefore, our personnel should regard retirement planning as an essential part of their professional and personal development, not something to consider only at the end of their careers," the COAS said.
Shaibu said that the military profession required officers to devote much of their careers to operational deployments, command responsibilities and frequent postings, often with limited opportunities to establish permanent family residences.
"Consequently, the transition from active service to retirement can present considerable challenges, particularly when adequate provision for personal accommodation has not been made.
"Against this background, I consider investments in residential properties such as this particularly important.
"Acquiring such a property through personal investment provides stability, financial security, and peace of mind while reducing the uncertainties of retirement," he said.
The COAS said that NALWG estate boasted of impressive structures and modern residential facilities which represented a forward looking investment model that brought together serving and retired military personnel, as well as civilian investors.
"I therefore commend those officers who have demonstrated foresight by investing in this estate and encourage others to commence prudent financial planning and early preparation for life beyond active service.
"I am particularly pleased that the investment and ownership structure of this estate was deliberately designed to accommodate civilian subscribers alongside military personnel.
"This is a significant departure from the conventional approach to military residential accommodation and reflects an appreciation of the need to create an inclusive, socially integrated and commercially sustainable living environment," he said.
Shaibu explained that the intention was not to establish another military barracks but to develop a modern residential community where military and civilian homeowners could enjoy the benefits of a shared neighbourhood.
"This arrangement offers our personnel, particularly those approaching retirement, an important opportunity to gradually integrate into the wider civilian community and build meaningful social relationships beyond the military environment.
"After decades of living and working within highly regimented institutions, this exposure can support their transition to civilian life while preserving the friendships, values, and sense of community they developed during their years of service.
"More importantly, it creates a practical avenue to strengthen civil military relations through everyday interaction, mutual understanding and shared community responsibilities," he said.
The COAS said that developing the estate aligned with the broader objectives of his command philosophy, particularly, the pillars of sound administration.
"This approach complements our Soldier First Concept, which recognises that personnel welfare, motivation and institutional effectiveness are closely interconnected.
"However, the long term sustainability of such initiatives requires transparency, accountability, sound financial management and strict adherence to established commercial and regulatory standards.
"Accordingly, NALWG is encouraged to continue providing credible investment opportunities while ensuring that the interests of all subscribers, whether military or civilian, are adequately protected," he said.
Shaibu appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his sustained strategic guidance and unwavering support to the Nigerian Army.
"I equally commend the leadership and management of NALWG, the project developers, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders whose efforts have brought this development to fruition.
"I extend my warm congratulations to all homeowners and trust that this estate will provide not only valuable asset, but also a peaceful, secure and fulfilling residential environment for you and your families.
"It is our prayer that this estate remains a place of peace, prosperity, and harmonious coexistence for all its residents," the COAS said.
Meanwhile, the NALWG estate project supervisor, Capt. Tokunbo Arogundade, said that the estate consisted of 17 units of 4 bedroom detached duplexes, 26 units of 4 bedroom terrace houses and a block of 6 units of 3 bedroom flats which made a total of 49 housing units.
"Throughout the construction period, careful attention was paid to the structural integrity of the buildings, and strict adherence to construction standards, to ensure stability, safety, and long-term durability.
"In addition to the residential units, critical infrastructural facilities were provided to make the estate fully functional which took an additional five months to execute.
"These facilities include: reliable water supply systems with an industrial borehole at 186m depth and a yield of 8,000 litres per hour, an overhead tank of 64,000 litres and a ground of 35,000 litres to supply the estate, all accompanied with water treatment," he said.
The supervisor said that a 60 cubic meter biodigester system was constructed for safe and hygienic waste management rather than the conventional waste management systems.
"This is one of the luxuries of the estate as the residents will not have to worry about evacuations.
"We also have the electricity supply to the buildings and common areas transmitted by armoured cables carefully laid in underground electrical sleeves connecting the transformer to the feeder pillars.
"It is worthy to note that an independent transformer of 750KVA was acquired, installed and commissioned for the estates use," he said.
The captain added that the estate was equally equipped with an effective drainage network to control storm water and prevent flooding as well as a purpose-built refuse house for organised waste collection and disposal.
