Nigerian Army Urged to Adopt World-Class Management Standards in Hospitality Enterprises

By Zainab Uzomah

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for the adoption of world-class management standards across Nigerian Army hospitality businesses, saying excellence in service delivery is crucial for sustainability and institutional credibility.

The appeal came on Tuesday, 3 February, at the opening of the Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes (DSSP) Annual Army Officers’ Mess and Suites Stakeholders Conference 2025 in Abuja. The event brought together industry experts, senior military officers, and key stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving the quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of Army-run hospitality services.

Speaking at the conference, themed “Conforming to World-Class Management Standards for Sustainable Nigerian Army Hospitality Businesses”, Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the DSSP for initiatives that have repositioned Army hospitality assets in line with global best practices. He highlighted the impact of subsidised services at Army Officers’ Mess and Suites, which he said have encouraged innovation, inclusiveness, and diversity in customer engagement.

Represented at the conference by the Chief of Logistics (Army), Major General Adekunle Adeyinka, the COAS urged participants to align with his philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, and resilient force capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities in a joint and multi-agency environment.

He further encouraged the Chief of Special Services and Programmes and his team to explore emerging opportunities in the hospitality sector to enhance service standards and operational effectiveness across Army Officers’ Mess and Suites and other Army hospitality establishments nationwide.

Lieutenant General Shaibu also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strategic guidance and support, reaffirming the Army’s loyalty to the President, the Constitution, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Earlier, the Chief of Special Services and Programmes, Major General Aminu Garba, said the department has remained committed to repositioning Command Guest Houses for better service delivery and customer satisfaction. He thanked the COAS for his support, which he said has led to improvements in quality management and customer retention across Army hospitality facilities.

The conference was attended by Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, senior officers, heads of Army establishments, representatives of Command Guest Houses nationwide, and senior executives from the hospitality industry.