The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has directed the adoption of world-class management standards across all Nigerian Army hospitality enterprises, stressing that excellence in service delivery is essential for sustainability, competitiveness and institutional credibility.
The COAS gave the directive on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, at the opening ceremony of the Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes (DSSP) Annual Army Officers’ Mess and Suites Stakeholders Conference 2025, held in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Conforming to World-Class Management Standards for Sustainable Nigerian Army Hospitality Businesses,” brought together key stakeholders, industry professionals and subject-matter experts to deliberate on strategies for improving efficiency, service quality and competitiveness across Nigerian Army hospitality establishments.
In a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the DSSP for implementing progressive initiatives that have repositioned Nigerian Army hospitality assets in line with global best practices. He noted that the provision of subsidised services at Army Officers’ Mess and Suites has enhanced service delivery, stimulated innovation in hospitality management and promoted inclusiveness and diversity in customer engagement.
Represented by the Chief of Logistics (Army), Major General Adekunle Adeyinka, the COAS urged participants to draw inspiration from his command philosophy, which is focused on transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
He further charged the Chief of Special Services and Programmes and his team to continue exploring emerging opportunities within the hospitality industry to raise service standards and strengthen the operational effectiveness of Army Officers’ Mess and Suites, as well as other Nigerian Army hospitality establishments nationwide.
Lieutenant General Shaibu expressed profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his consistent strategic guidance and unwavering support to the Nigerian Army.
He reaffirmed the unalloyed loyalty of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to the President, the Constitution and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Special Services and Programmes (CSSP), Major General Aminu Garba, said the Department has remained committed to repositioning Command Guest Houses to improve service delivery, operational viability and customer satisfaction. He thanked the COAS for his sustained support, noting that it has translated into improved quality management practices and enhanced customer retention across Army Officers’ Mess and Suites.
The conference attracted Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, senior officers, heads of Nigerian Army establishments, representatives of Command Guest Houses nationwide, as well as general managers, managing directors and chief executive officers from the hospitality industry.
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