The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has emphasized the importance of strong collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the financial sector as a foundation for sustaining national security and economic stability.
According to a statement by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, he made this assertion on Thursday, 26 February 2026 while receiving the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group, Mr Olusegun Alebiosu, on a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja. He noted that a secure environment enables financial institutions to thrive, making cooperation between national defenders and economic drivers essential.
Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to providing the security required for businesses and other economic activities to operate seamlessly nationwide. He explained that beyond combat operations, the Army is focused on partnerships that enhance personnel welfare and improve administrative efficiency. Recalling his long association with FirstBank, he stressed that alliances with reputable financial institutions provide the fiscal support and innovative solutions needed to meet the logistical demands of a modern force.
The COAS also highlighted the importance of institutional stability, encouraging personnel to bank with established institutions to safeguard their savings and welfare. In this regard, he expressed readiness to explore areas of partnership that could support the decentralized logistical and administrative needs of the Nigerian Army and enhance the welfare of its personnel, noting that reliable banking structures remain vital to troop morale and operational effectiveness.
In his remarks, Mr Olusegun Alebiosu commended the Nigerian Army for its steadfast role in safeguarding national sovereignty and security. He described the engagement as a privilege and reaffirmed FirstBank’s commitment to supporting the operational efficiency of the Nigerian Army, particularly in expanding financial access for pensioners and personnel deployed in remote operational areas.