The Nigerian Army is exploring a broader public-private partnership to modernise its healthcare system, with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, stressing the need for increased investment in medical infrastructure, technology and services to improve personnel welfare and operational readiness.
Shaibu made the remarks on Thursday, September 3, 2026, when he received a high-level delegation at Army Headquarters, Abuja, for discussions on strategic collaboration to strengthen healthcare delivery and infrastructure across the Nigerian Army.
The proposed partnership would cover the development and upgrade of Army hospitals, provision of modern medical equipment, pharmaceutical support and deployment of digital health solutions across Army formations and establishments.
According to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the collaboration is expected to improve the capacity, accessibility and resilience of military medical facilities serving personnel and their families.
The COAS said the health and wellbeing of personnel and their families remained central to his “Soldier First” concept and critical to the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
He noted that sustained investment in quality healthcare would support his command philosophy of transforming the Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
Shaibu stressed that a healthy, motivated and adequately supported force was fundamental to operational readiness, morale and sustained effectiveness.
He therefore welcomed credible partnerships capable of providing investment, expertise, technology and innovative healthcare solutions to complement government efforts and deliver sustainable benefits to Army personnel and their families.
The delegation was led by former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (rtd), and included representatives from the private sector and international diplomatic community.
Honey Star Resources Limited was represented by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Hamisu Tukur Buratai, and Deputy Managing Director, Barrister Abduljabbar Kolo.
Representatives of M&P were led by Ambassador Achraf Ibrahim, a former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, while Elevate Egypt was represented by Mr Ahmed Tarek.
The League of African Ambassadors was represented by its President, Ambassador Nwanne Omihe, alongside Ambassador Ijeoma.
The proposed partnership forms part of the Nigerian Army’s efforts to leverage credible private-sector expertise and investment to strengthen personnel welfare and modernise critical healthcare infrastructure.
The initiative is also expected to reinforce the link between personnel welfare and military effectiveness, as improved healthcare capacity can enhance troop morale, operational readiness and the Army’s ability to respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
