The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has raised concerns over poor funding for the Nigerian Army, saying it does not have enough money to accommodate the 13,000 new recruits expected this year.
He made the disclosure in Abuja on Thursday during a visit by the Senate Committee on Army to the Army Headquarters.
Oluyede praised the committee for its support but said the current envelope budgeting system is not enough to meet the army’s operational and welfare needs. He appealed to lawmakers to provide special funding outside the usual budget framework to tackle urgent challenges.
“As we speak, the army is still challenged in terms of operational efficiency. This year alone, we are expecting about 13,000 new personnel, but there are no corresponding resources to provide accommodation for them,” he said.
“We still have soldiers without proper accommodation, and that number will only increase. We’re not just facing internal security issues—what if we’re challenged externally?”
The Army Chief stressed the importance of proper housing and support for troops, calling it critical for national defence and morale.
In response, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, acknowledged the funding challenges and pledged the committee’s support.
“We’ve seen the needs during our oversight visits. The Nigerian Army should be removed from the envelope budgeting system to get more funding for its operations,” Yar’Adua said.
He added that the committee had split into two groups to inspect army facilities across Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos states, in line with the constitution and Senate rules.
Yar’Adua assured the COAS of the Senate’s commitment to push for better funding to ensure the army is equipped to perform its duties effectively.
