Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has approved a significant increase in the daily Ration Cash Allowance for Army personnel, raising it from N1,500 to N3,000, effective from the end of March.
The announcement was made during his visit to the 81 Division at the 9th Brigade Parade Ground in Ikeja, Lagos, where he also inspected ongoing projects.
Expressing concern over the previous allowance, Oluyede reassured troops of his commitment to enhancing their welfare. “I am going to build on what my predecessors have done in improving the welfare of our personnel,” he stated.
Beyond the feeding allowances, Oluyede acknowledged the housing challenges faced by many warrant officers, especially those without homes upon retirement.
To address this, he highlighted the Nigerian Army’s housing initiative aimed at providing affordable homes for retiring personnel.
“In December, under the Nigerian Army Housing Scheme, we unveiled the first set of houses in Abuja. As I speak, we are beginning a new set in Ibadan. We have also secured land for another set in Jos. Additionally, we are developing housing units in Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Akwa Ibom states,” he explained.
Oluyede emphasized the affordability of the housing scheme, noting, “This will ensure a widespread distribution of houses that soldiers can subscribe to. You will all agree with me that there is nowhere in Nigeria where you can buy a two- or three-bedroom house for as low as N8 million.”
In addition to the housing initiative, Oluyede announced a new low-interest loan scheme for soldiers, offering an interest rate of just 3%. “If you go to banks, the lowest interest rate you will find is around 25%. We have deliberately kept our rate low to make it accessible,” he explained.
He also encouraged personnel to borrow only when necessary, advising, “I want to advise that if you don’t truly need it, or if you are not in urgent need, it’s best not to take it. It is easy to obtain but difficult to repay.”
Addressing complaints about soldiers purchasing their own uniforms, Oluyede reassured the troops that the Army had begun distributing 100,000 kits per month.
“We have allocated uniforms to smaller divisions. The next phase will cover the 82nd Division. Once we complete distribution there, we will proceed here and issue more uniforms. I can assure you that before the end of the year, you will likely receive another set,” he said.
Finally, Oluyede urged soldiers to remain committed to their duties, stressing that their dedication is key to the Army’s continued success. “I want you to believe in this system because it is worthwhile,” he concluded.
