By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, has urged personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to remain dedicated to professionalism, excellence, and selfless service, stressing that officers who contribute meaningfully to the military institution would ultimately benefit from the system they help to strengthen.
General Oluyede gave the charge during the commissioning of newly constructed staff accommodation and a modern armory for the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Abuja. He described the projects as strategic investments aimed at improving personnel welfare, operational efficiency, and institutional capacity within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the CDS emphasized that leadership and service must be driven by responsibility and the desire to leave lasting positive impacts. According to him, “If you add value to the service, that service will eventually add value to you.” He urged officers and personnel to continually uphold integrity, discipline, and commitment in the discharge of their duties.
General Oluyede noted that the newly commissioned facilities reflected the Armed Forces’ commitment to providing a conducive working and living environment for personnel. He commended the engineers, contractors, and project teams for delivering structures built to durable and professional standards capable of supporting long-term military objectives.
The CDS also charged beneficiaries of the facilities to ensure proper maintenance and preservation of the infrastructure, stressing that public assets must be responsibly managed for future generations. He added that true leadership involves sacrifice, foresight, and building systems that outlive individual tenures.
General Oluyede further expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the Armed Forces, particularly in the areas of personnel welfare, administration, logistics, and operational capacity enhancement. He stated that the Federal Government’s sustained support had significantly strengthened the military’s ability to tackle evolving security challenges across the country.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, described the commissioning of the projects as a major milestone in the agency’s drive to improve infrastructure and personnel welfare. He explained that the accommodation project was initiated to address housing challenges faced by DIA personnel who previously relied heavily on rented apartments.
According to the CDI, the newly constructed accommodation consists of 45 fully furnished two-bedroom flats arranged in three two-storey blocks, with each block containing 15 flats. He disclosed that the apartments were designed to accommodate senior and intermediate personnel with moderate family sizes and are equipped with modern amenities.
Major General Undiandeye stated that the proximity of the quarters to the agency’s operational complex and other essential facilities would improve accessibility, efficiency, and overall productivity of personnel. He added that the project was completed without any loss of life or major injury, owing to strict adherence to building and safety standards throughout the construction process.
The CDI also explained that the newly commissioned armory was conceived to address long-standing storage and safety concerns within the agency. He noted that the previous facility had become inadequate for the secure storage and segregation of arms, ammunition, and recovered weapons from various theatres of operation.
He disclosed that the new armory was specially designed with reinforced concrete walls, improved ventilation systems, cooling facilities, ammunition storage sections, armourers’ lounges, reception and sorting areas, as well as dedicated holding bays for weapons and equipment. According to him, the facility now meets international best practices for the storage and management of arms and ammunition, while significantly improving operational safety and accountability.
Major General Undiandeye commended the unwavering support and visionary leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff towards the successful completion of the projects. He revealed that General Oluyede played a pivotal role in facilitating the release and development of the project site during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.
Also presenting an overview of the projects, the Deputy Director of Works at the Defence Intelligence Agency, Brigadier General O.S. Obot, said the accommodation and armory projects were carefully designed to meet the growing operational and welfare needs of the agency.
Brigadier General Obot explained that the accommodation project commenced in July 2025 and was completed on schedule in February 2026, while the armory project began in April 2025 and was completed in November the same year. He noted that both facilities were fully furnished, equipped, and ready for immediate use.
He further praised the strategic leadership philosophy of the Chief of Defence Staff, which he said focuses on strengthening the operational capability of the Armed Forces through enhanced jointness, improved welfare, and sound administration.
Brigadier General Obot reaffirmed the commitment of the Defence Intelligence Agency to supporting the vision of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and protecting its strategic interests.
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