Army Chief Warns It Can’t House 13,000 New Recruits Due to Funding Shortage
Abuja, Nigeria – July 31, 2025
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has issued an urgent appeal for special funding to address the growing crisis within the Nigerian Army. During a visit from the Senate Committee on the Army to military headquarters in Abuja, he revealed that the force lacks adequate housing and welfare infrastructure for approximately 13,000 new recruits expected this year.
Critical Shortfall in Accommodation
Oluyede explained that despite steady recruitment numbers—averaging up to 15,000 annually—there are no new provisions for barracks or workforce accommodations. Without immediate intervention, thousands of newly recruited soldiers will remain without housing, which could undermine morale and operational readiness.
Senate Committee Responds
Senate Committee Chairman Abdulaziz Yar’Adua acknowledged the Army’s financial limitations and aligned with the call for budget reform. He pledged to push for funding beyond the current envelope budgeting system, advocating for dedicated support to bolster the military’s welfare and operational capabilities.
Structural Funding Gaps
Oluyede criticized Nigeria’s envelope budgeting system, highlighting its limitations in meeting the needs of critical security agencies. He argued that without a special funding mechanism, the Army's capacity to provide housing, equipment, and support services remains severely constrained.
Broader Context
This funding shortfall is the latest symptom of long-standing challenges within Nigeria’s defense apparatus. In late 2024, the former COAS, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, similarly warned that operational readiness was hampered by inadequate funding, manpower shortages, and reliance on foreign military equipment.
