Lagos, Nigeria – In a renewed effort to enhance the welfare and morale of its personnel, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has rolled out a series of welfare initiatives, culminating in the commissioning of 160 units of ensuite residential flats in Lagos by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar.
The landmark commissioning, which took place on Friday at the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, marks a significant stride in the NAF’s commitment to providing decent accommodation for its officers and airmen. The newly commissioned housing units comprise modern two- and three-bedroom flats fully equipped with essential amenities to support comfortable living.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized that improving personnel welfare remains one of the central pillars of his command. He noted that the provision of quality housing was not only a morale booster but a necessary foundation for operational effectiveness, especially in a demanding security environment.
“The comfort and dignity of our personnel are paramount. A well-accommodated force is a more focused and efficient force,” he said, adding that additional housing projects are underway in other commands across the country.
The CAS also used the occasion to unveil broader welfare packages that include improved medical care access, skills acquisition opportunities for personnel spouses, enhanced education support for children, and renewed efforts in mental health services.
These initiatives align with the Nigerian Air Force’s transformation agenda to reposition the service into a modern, agile, and people-centric force, capable of responding swiftly to Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
Personnel and their families expressed gratitude for the development, describing the housing project as a long-awaited relief from accommodation shortages and rising rental costs in Lagos.
With insecurity, inflation, and cost-of-living concerns affecting military families, the NAF’s move is being seen as a proactive model for other branches of the Armed Forces in addressing troop welfare holistically.
As Air Marshal Abubakar reiterated during his address, “Personnel welfare is not a privilege, it is a duty – and we are proud to be delivering on that promise.”
