Army Appeals for More Resources to Secure Nigeria, Urges National Assembly Action

• Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede has appealed for increased funding to address housing shortages for Nigerian Army recruits.
• The Army recruits approximately 15,000 personnel annually but lacks sufficient housing facilities.
• Oluyede urged the National Assembly to prioritize the Army’s needs, including improved accommodation and technological resources, in the upcoming budget.
• He stressed the importance of national unity and the support of the government in securing the nation’s future.

The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, has called for a higher budgetary allocation to enable the Nigerian Army to effectively carry out its constitutional responsibilities and provide proper accommodation for its personnel.

Oluyede made this appeal during a condolence visit by the Senate Committee on Army, led by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, on Monday in Abuja. He highlighted that, despite the recruitment of about 15,000 soldiers annually, there remains a critical shortage of housing for the new personnel.

The Acting Chief emphasized the importance of national unity and the need for collective support to ensure the Army’s ability to secure the nation. He stressed that dwindling resources allocated to the Nigerian Army over time have hampered its operational capabilities. He further pointed out that, while the Army continues to recruit large numbers, there has been no corresponding effort to address the accommodation needs of the recruits.

Oluyede expressed his concerns about the future of these soldiers, questioning where they would retire after serving the nation if adequate housing is not provided. He also appealed to the National Assembly to consider these pressing issues when preparing the next budget, particularly focusing on the provision of essential resources such as housing and technological enablers that would enhance the Army’s operational capacity.