COAS Flags Off Phase 2 of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, Reiterates ‘Soldier First’ Philosophy
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday, 24 December 2025, performed the ground-breaking ceremony for Phase 2 of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks in Asokoro, Abuja, marking another milestone in the Nigerian Army’s drive to provide sustainable housing for its personnel.
The new phase follows the successful commissioning of Phase 1 in January 2025 and is in line with the COAS’s command philosophy, which places priority on troop welfare and sound administration as the bedrock of a professional and combat-ready Army.
Speaking at the event, Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to tackling accommodation challenges across the country, stressing that the initiative represents a deliberate shift from temporary measures to long-term, sustainable solutions. He noted that the project comes at a critical time when the Army is intensifying efforts to address the housing deficit faced by its personnel, with a resolve to complete all ongoing residential projects while initiating new ones.
The COAS explained that Phase 2 is a completely new barracks, separate from Phase 1, which was commissioned by President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He emphasized that the project is a core component of the “Soldier First” concept, designed to improve the welfare and living conditions of troops. According to him, the barracks, upon completion, will provide secure and dignified accommodation for personnel and their families, foster unit cohesion, and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support and funding of the project, while reaffirming the loyalty of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Nigerian Army Special Projects, Major General Bayode Adetoro, disclosed that Phase 1 of the barracks accommodated 614 personnel, while Phase 2 is expected to house about 1,800 personnel.
Major General Adetoro described the project as a tangible expression of the COAS’s command philosophy, anchored on a “Soldier First” culture that prioritizes troop welfare through a comprehensive support framework aimed at ensuring stability on the home front.
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