The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has urged managers of Nigerian Army Officers’ Messes and Suites across the country to adopt international best practices to enhance efficiency, sustainability and quality of service.
Shaibu made the call on Tuesday through the Chief of Logistics, Maj.-Gen. Adekunle Adeyinka, at the opening of the 2025 Annual Stakeholders’ Conference of the Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes in Abuja.
He explained that the conference was designed to serve as a vital forum for strengthening managerial capacity, exchanging ideas and refining operational skills in line with globally accepted standards.
The army chief emphasised that its hospitality establishments are key welfare assets that require professional and transparent management to remain viable over the long term.
He noted that Army Officers’ Messes and Suites currently operate in eight locations nationwide, providing affordable lodging, recreation and leisure services in secure and comfortable environments for officers, soldiers and other members of the Armed Forces.
According to him, the recent commissioning of the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja has elevated service delivery, while the Army Officers’ Mess and Suites in Ibadan, expected to commence operations soon, will further broaden the Army’s hospitality network.
Shaibu said the conference theme, “Conforming to World-Class Management Standards for Sustainable Nigerian Army Hospitality Businesses,” reflects his command philosophy of building a professional, responsive, combat-ready and resilient Nigerian Army.
He encouraged participants to fully embrace the principles of that philosophy and ensure they are reflected in the administration of all Army hospitality facilities.
The COAS added that the lecture sessions were carefully structured to enhance leadership capacity, operational effectiveness and customer satisfaction.
He also reaffirmed the commitment and loyalty of Nigerian Army personnel to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, before formally declaring the conference open.
Earlier, the Chief of Special Services and Programmes (Army), Maj.-Gen. Aminu Garba, said the Nigerian Army was repositioning its Officers’ Messes and Suites to function as competitive, profitable and sustainable hospitality ventures.
Garba described the facilities as vital welfare investments aimed at providing quality and subsidised accommodation for Army personnel and other service members, especially those on transit duties.
He disclosed that the Army has continued to modernise existing facilities and expand operations to major cities, noting that the department held its third-quarter stakeholders’ meeting in September 2025 to strengthen cooperation among management teams, professionals and industry partners.
Garba added that improvements had been recorded in management standards, service delivery and customer retention since the last engagement.
He expressed optimism that revenue generation would rise further as newly completed projects become fully operational, abandoned facilities are revived and proposed initiatives, including the Command View Golfing Resort, are implemented.
He concluded by commending industry regulators and partners for their collaboration, expressing confidence that outcomes of the conference would lead to improved performance and service excellence across all Army Officers’ Messes and Suites nationwide.