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Nigerian Army Unveils Modern Housing for Soldiers at Marda Barracks
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
In a significant move to enhance the welfare of its personnel, the Nigerian Army has officially handed over newly constructed housing units at Marda Barracks to 30 soldiers of corporal rank and below.
The inauguration of the housing units was led by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, and reflects the Army’s ongoing commitment to improving the living standards of its troops.
Representing the COAS, Major General Adeyinka Adereti, Commander of the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, described the project as a practical demonstration of the Army’s philosophy that operational readiness begins with the welfare of its soldiers.
“Providing decent accommodation is fundamental to boosting morale, operational efficiency, and the overall well-being of our troops,” he said.
Adereti also lauded Dr. Henry Nzekwu, CEO of MessageWise Limited, the firm responsible for constructing the housing units, for completing the project on schedule.
The housing units, which began construction in 2025, were handed over to the Army in February 2026 and mark one of several infrastructure initiatives undertaken by the company in support of military personnel.
The General Manager of Corporate Affairs and Business Development at MessageWise, Yetunde Esan, expressed pride in her company’s role in the project, highlighting its expanded capabilities in civil construction and specialised technology services alongside its core communications expertise.
The Acting Commander of 1 Base Workshop, Colonel C. O. Iruegbukpe, emphasized the significance of the new housing within the barracks.
He noted that Marda Barracks is the only unit under the Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers formation located outside the Corps’ training school, and described the project as “more than a building; it is a new standard that instills pride and strengthens the sense of community among soldiers and their families”.
The handover ceremony was attended by senior officers including Major General A. G. Ibrahim, Commander of the Corps of Ordnance; Major General A. A. Babalola, General Officer Commanding 81 Division; representatives from other Army corps, and members of the Nigerian Army Soldiers’ Wives Association.
The inauguration of the Marda Barracks housing underscores a broader effort by the Nigerian Army to strengthen the personnel’s welfare, recognizing that well-supported soldiers are vital to maintaining a capable and motivated force.
Collaboration with private sector partners like MessageWise has emerged as a key driver in delivering high-quality infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the military community.
