Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has announced a significant increase in the daily ration cash allowance for Nigerian Army troops, raising it from N1,500 to N3,000. This change will take effect at the end of March.
During his address to officers and soldiers of the 81 Division at the 9th Brigade Parade Ground in Ikeja, Lagos, Oluyede expressed his disappointment that troops were still receiving the outdated allowance of N1,500. He assured them of his commitment to improving their welfare.
In addition to the allowance increase, Oluyede acknowledged the accommodation challenges faced by serving warrant officers who do not own homes to retire to. To address this issue, the Nigerian Army has introduced a housing scheme aimed at providing affordable housing options for retiring officers.
“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,” said Oluyede.
The COAS highlighted that the housing scheme would offer soldiers affordable two- and three-bedroom houses for as low as N8 million, which is unparalleled in Nigeria. He emphasized the importance of this investment in ensuring a comfortable post-service life for military personnel.
Furthermore, Oluyede announced the introduction of a low-interest loan scheme for soldiers, with a three percent interest rate. He explained that the Army had deliberately kept the rate low to make the loans accessible and encouraged soldiers with pressing financial needs to apply. However, he advised them to borrow only when necessary, as repayment could be challenging.
Regarding complaints about soldiers purchasing their uniforms, Oluyede assured the troops that the Army had commenced the distribution of 100,000 kits per month. He acknowledged the difficulty in obtaining military kits but reassured the troops that efforts were being made to ensure they received necessary supplies.
In conclusion, Oluyede encouraged the personnel to remain dedicated to their duties, emphasizing that their commitment was crucial to the success of the Army.
