Army Chief Launches Second Phase of Tinubu Barracks, Pledges Long-Term Fix to Troop Housing

By Zainab Uzomah

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has launched Phase 2 of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks in Asokoro, Abuja, marking what the Army describes as a major step toward resolving long-standing accommodation shortages within its ranks.

In a statement signed by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, the Army said the project aligns with the COAS’s “Soldier First” philosophy and reflects a growing shift from short-term housing interventions to more sustainable, long-term solutions for personnel across the country.

The ceremony, held on Wednesday, comes almost a year after the commissioning of Phase 1 in January 2025. General Shaibu said the new phase is a standalone development separate from the earlier facility inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and is expected to deliver secure, dignified accommodation for thousands of personnel and their families. He added that improved troop welfare is critical to enhancing cohesion, morale and operational effectiveness.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for what he described as consistent support and funding, reaffirming the Army’s loyalty to the Constitution.

Providing further details, Major General Bayode Adetoro, Coordinator of Nigerian Army Special Projects, noted that while Phase 1 accommodates 614 personnel, Phase 2 is designed to house about 1,800. He said the expansion represents a “physical manifestation” of the Army leadership’s commitment to developing a stable, professionally grounded force through improved welfare infrastructure.

The development comes amid renewed scrutiny of troop welfare and housing conditions, with observers watching to see whether the Army can deliver on its pledge to improve living standards in a sustained and systemic way.