The Nigerian Army is intensifying efforts to attract private sector investment into military infrastructure, personnel welfare and veterans’ support.
These efforts are aimed at positioning corporate partnerships as a strategic pillar for strengthening operational readiness, national resilience and long-term security.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele. The statement said the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, made the call 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, Abuja.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the Founder of ASR Africa and Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, for sustaining corporate support to the Armed Forces, noting that Nigeria’s evolving security environment requires stronger collaboration between government, the military and responsible private sector organisations to reinforce national security and development.
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The Army Chief highlighted rural infrastructure as a strategic security asset, explaining that investments in road networks improve troop mobility, accelerate operational deployment, strengthen logistics, stimulate economic activities in underserved communities and reduce opportunities for criminal groups to exploit isolated areas as operational hideouts.
He also identified the welfare of serving personnel, wounded soldiers and military veterans as a critical component of combat effectiveness, stressing that quality healthcare and comprehensive post-service support remain indispensable for sustaining morale and maintaining a highly motivated force. The Army leadership acknowledged ASR Africa’s investments in military healthcare, describing them as valuable contributions to operational capability.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged more corporate organisations to emulate ASR Africa by investing in accommodation, healthcare, veterans’ welfare and other infrastructure projects capable of strengthening military readiness while contributing to national development.
Speaking during the engagement, ASR Africa, through its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ubon Udoh, disclosed that implementation of the Nigerian Army’s ₦2 billion allocation under the organisation’s ₦10 billion Security Sector Support Grant is progressing steadily towards completion. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining strategic interventions that enhance operational capacity, personnel welfare and national security.
