By Bavoriat Clara
The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to world-class hospitality management and the sustainability of its welfare investments with the commencement of the Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes Annual Stakeholders Conference 2025.
Declaring the conference open, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the annual stakeholders engagement provides a strategic platform for strengthening capacity, expanding knowledge, and refining management skills required to operate Nigerian Army hospitality establishments in line with global best practices.
The Chief of Army Staff, who was represented at the event by the COAS Representative, Major General Adeyinka Adekunle, Chief of Logistics (Army), expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the Department of Special Services and Programmes, particularly in repositioning Nigerian Army hospitality assets to conform with international standards. He noted that the presence of leading hospitality industry players at the conference reflects growing confidence in the Nigerian Army’s welfare initiatives.
Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu urged the department to optimally explore opportunities for strategic engagement with chief executives and professionals in the hospitality industry to further enhance service delivery and operational efficiency across Army hospitality establishments.
According to the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army currently operates Army Officers’ Mess and Suites in eight locations nationwide, providing subsidised accommodation, recreation, and entertainment in secure and serene environments. He added that the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites, which recently commenced operations, now offers expanded, world-class hospitality services to officers and guests.
He further disclosed that the Army Officers’ Mess and Suites, Ibado, scheduled to commence operations soon, will further extend the reach of the Army’s hospitality services across the country.
While acknowledging the progress achieved so far, the COAS stressed that continuous learning and improvement remain essential. He emphasised that effective coordination and diligent management of Nigerian Army welfare investments are critical to their long-term sustainability.
The Chief of Army Staff noted that the conference theme, “Conforming to World-Class Management Standards for Sustainable Nigerian Army Hospitality Businesses,” aligns with the Nigerian Army’s broader transformation agenda aimed at building a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient force.
He explained that the lectures lined up for the conference were carefully selected to stimulate innovation, deepen professional competencies, and enhance participants’ administrative and management capacities. He urged beneficiaries to ensure that insights gained translate into improved service delivery across all Nigerian Army hospitality facilities.
The COAS commended the Chief Host of the conference, the Chief of Special Services and Programmes (Army), Major General Aminu Garba, and his team for organising the event and urged them to consolidate existing achievements while exploring additional opportunities within the hospitality industry.
He also appreciated the resource persons for sharing their expertise and experiences in support of the Army’s drive towards excellence in service delivery.
Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu expressed gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his continuous strategic guidance and unwavering support to the Nigerian Army. He reaffirmed the unalloyed loyalty of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to the President and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and wished participants fruitful deliberations.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chief Host and Chief of Special Services and Programmes (Army), Major General Aminu Garba, welcomed participants and members of the press, describing the conference as a critical forum for strengthening Nigerian Army welfare investments.
Major General Garba explained that the Army Officers’ Mess and Suites were established to provide subsidised hotel accommodation for Nigerian Army personnel and members of the Armed Forces, particularly when on transit. He noted that the Nigerian Army has continued to upgrade its hospitality facilities while exploring expansion into other major cities across the country.
He disclosed that the department recently held its Third Quarter Army Officers’ Mess and Suites Stakeholders Meeting from 22 to 25 September 2025, which enabled extensive engagement among management teams, stakeholders, and hospitality experts.
According to him, significant improvements have been recorded in quality management and customer retention across Army hospitality establishments.
Major General Garba expressed optimism that profitability would further improve as newly completed and proposed facilities come on stream. He added that the 2025 conference brings together representatives of all Army Officers’ Mess and Suites nationwide, regulators, and reputable hospitality industry players to exchange ideas and explore innovative approaches to service delivery.
He outlined the conference programme, which includes lectures on service excellence, integration of artificial intelligence in hospitality operations, and the role of diversity and inclusiveness in enhancing customer service, noting that the sessions were designed to reposition the Army Officers’ Mess and Suites as a competitive national hospitality brand.
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