Reps push for housing scheme for retired soldiers, widows of fallen officers

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives has called for the establishment of a National Post-Service Housing Scheme to provide residential estates for retired military personnel and widows of fallen officers across Nigeria.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Hussain Mohammed Jallo, who stressed the need for a coordinated housing framework to support members of the Armed Forces after active service.
Moving the motion, Jallo noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria play a critical role in protecting the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internal security, often exposing personnel to hazardous and life threatening missions.
He said many military personnel retire without access to decent and affordable housing, while widows and dependants of officers who died in active service frequently face severe social and economic hardship.
The lawmaker expressed concern that the absence of a coordinated national post-service housing framework for retired military personnel undermines morale within the armed forces and weakens welfare structures meant to support those who have served the nation.
He explained that although service-based housing agencies already exist within the military such as the Post Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL) of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force Housing and Construction Company Limited, Nigerian Air Force Properties Limited, and Navy Holdings Limited their operations remain fragmented and limited in scope.
According to him, similar housing schemes run by other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, also lack integration into a unified national post-service housing system.
Jallo added that several countries have institutionalised structured veterans’ housing and welfare programmes, which serve as a practical demonstration of national appreciation for the sacrifices of military personnel.
He argued that Nigeria must adopt a similar approach to strengthen welfare for veterans and reassure serving officers of the nation’s commitment to their well-being.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to establish a National Post-Service Housing Scheme for retired military personnel and widows of fallen officers across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.