COAS Commissions NAWLG Luxury Estate in Yaba, Urges Home Ownership, Retirement Planning

By Zainab Uzomah | Lagos

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday commissioned the Nigerian Army Welfare Limited by Guarantee (NAWLG) Luxury Estate in Yaba, Lagos, describing the project as a significant milestone in promoting sustainable investment, home ownership and long-term welfare for military personnel.

In a statement signed by Acting Director, Army Public Relations, the Col Appolonia Anele, Shuaib said the estate represented a forward-looking investment model that brought together serving and retired personnel as well as civilian investors to provide quality housing and financial security.

He said the peculiar demands of military service, including frequent postings and operational deployments, often limited opportunities for personnel to establish permanent family residences, making the transition to retirement more difficult without adequate accommodation.

The COAS commended officers who had demonstrated foresight by investing in the estate and urged personnel to embrace prudent financial planning and prepare early for life after service.

He said home ownership would provide stability and independence from service privileges, particularly after retirement.

Shaibu also lauded the estate’s mixed ownership structure, which accommodates military and civilian subscribers. He said the project was not intended to create another barracks but a modern, socially integrated and commercially sustainable community.

According to him, the model would enable retiring personnel to gradually integrate into wider society, build relationships beyond the regimented environment and strengthen civil-military relations through everyday interaction and shared responsibilities.

The COAS said the project aligned with his Command Philosophy, particularly the pillar of Sound Administration, and complemented his Soldier First Concept, which links welfare, motivation and institutional effectiveness.

While reaffirming the Army’s commitment to providing accommodation for serving personnel, he stressed the importance of legitimate personal investments to secure the future.

He charged the management of NAWLG to sustain transparency, accountability and sound financial management while adhering strictly to commercial and regulatory standards to protect subscribers.

Shaibu expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his strategic guidance and support to the Nigerian Army.

He also commended the NAWLG leadership, developers, consultants and investors for transforming the project into reality, and congratulated the homeowners.

The COAS prayed that the estate would remain a place of comfort, peace and harmonious coexistence.