Niger State to Allocate 1,000 Hectares for Nigerian Army Post-Service Housing Scheme
Niger State Strengthens Veterans’ Welfare with 1,000-Hectare Land Allocation
The Niger State Government has pledged to allocate 1,000 hectares of land to support the Nigerian Army’s post-service housing development scheme for retired personnel. The commitment, made by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago during a meeting with the leadership of the Army’s Post-Service Housing Development Limited, reflects a strategic approach to improving veterans’ welfare and supporting sustainable livelihoods beyond active service.
Land Allocation Aimed at Veteran Welfare
Governor Bago confirmed the state’s intention to provide the land during discussions with Major General Ishaiah Allison, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Post-Service Housing Development Limited. The proposed allocation is intended to accommodate both residential uses and integrated agricultural activities to ensure long-term sustainability for retired officers and soldiers.
The initiative is designed to offer affordable housing solutions for military veterans, many of whom face challenges accessing suitable accommodation after retirement. Integrating agricultural opportunities alongside residential development is intended to enhance economic security for beneficiaries by enabling engagement in farming or related activities.
Strategic Partnership Between State and Military
The housing scheme underlines growing collaboration between state governments and federal security institutions in expanding post-service welfare infrastructure. Major General Allison emphasised that partnerships with states, particularly in land provision, are critical to the success of the Army’s welfare programme.
The Post-Service Housing Development Limited was established to implement the Nigerian Army’s housing scheme, focusing on delivering affordable post-service homes for retired personnel. The company operates to expand access to housing through programme-driven partnerships and land allocations across Nigeria.
Broader Policy and Economic Context
The land pledge by Niger State aligns with broader national concerns around housing deficits, veteran welfare, and socio-economic reintegration for retired service members. Housing initiatives that blend residential and agricultural development resonate with policy priorities emphasised by state and federal authorities in recent mass housing and rural development programmes.
Although separate from the larger 100,000-hectare mass housing and agricultural settlement project recently launched in Niger State as part of the federal Sustainable Integrated Productive Communities initiative, the veterans’ housing scheme complements ongoing efforts to leverage land resources for inclusive development.
The Niger State Government’s allocation of 1,000 hectares to the Nigerian Army’s post-service housing scheme marks a significant policy action to enhance veterans’ welfare and foster sustainable livelihoods. By pairing residential development with agricultural opportunities, the initiative aims to deliver both shelter and economic empowerment for retired military personnel. Continued cooperation between state authorities and military welfare agencies will be critical for implementing the scheme and realising its long-term objectives.
