COAS Shaibu Hails Abdul Samad Rabiu As ASR Africa Deepens ₦2bn Military Support

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commended the Founder of ASR Africa and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for his sustained support to the Nigerian Army, as the organisation’s ₦2 billion intervention under its ₦10 billion Security Sector Support Grant moves steadily toward completion.

Speaking on Friday while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, and his delegation at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, the COAS described private sector investment in military infrastructure, troops’ welfare and veterans’ support as critical to strengthening national security and improving the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.

He praised Rabiu for what he described as impactful corporate interventions in support of the military, noting that the country’s evolving security challenges require stronger collaboration between government, the Armed Forces and responsible private sector organisations.

“The evolving security environment requires stronger collaboration among government institutions, the military and responsible private sector organisations to build national resilience and sustain ongoing security efforts,” Shaibu said.

The Army Chief said investments in critical infrastructure, particularly rural roads, have direct security and economic benefits by improving troop mobility, enhancing logistics, facilitating rapid deployment to operational areas and opening up isolated communities to economic activities while denying criminal groups safe havens.

He also stressed that the welfare of serving personnel, especially soldiers wounded in action, as well as retired military personnel, remains a strategic priority.

“Quality healthcare and comprehensive support systems for serving personnel and veterans are indispensable to sustaining morale, preserving combat effectiveness and maintaining a highly motivated and mission-ready force,” he said, while expressing appreciation to BUA Group and ASR Africa for their continued investments in military healthcare.

Shaibu further acknowledged ASR Africa’s ongoing construction of 120 accommodation units for Corporals and Below at Giri, Abuja, describing the housing project as a timely intervention that supports the Nigerian Army’s expansion following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval to increase the Army’s operational structure from eight to 12 divisions.

He urged other corporate organisations to emulate ASR Africa by investing in military infrastructure, personnel welfare and other initiatives that contribute to national security and sustainable development.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, conveyed the goodwill of the organisation’s founder, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and disclosed that implementation of the Nigerian Army’s ₦2 billion allocation under ASR Africa’s ₦10 billion Security Sector Support Grant “is progressing steadily towards completion.”

Udoh reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with the Nigerian Army through interventions aimed at strengthening operational capacity, improving personnel welfare and contributing to peace, security and national development.