By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for the adoption of world-class management standards across all Nigerian Army hospitality businesses, stressing that excellence in service delivery is essential for sustainability, professionalism and institutional credibility.
General Shaibu made the call on Tuesday 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 was themed “Conforming to World-Class Management Standards for Sustainable Nigerian Army Hospitality Businesses.”
Represented by the Chief of Logistics (Army), Major General Adekunle Adeyinka, the COAS urged stakeholders to align Nigerian Army hospitality operations with global best practices to enhance quality, efficiency and competitiveness.
He commended the DSSP for introducing progressive initiatives that have repositioned Army hospitality assets and improved service delivery nationwide.
He noted that subsidised services at Army Officers’ Mess and Suites have encouraged innovation, inclusiveness and diversity in customer engagement, while also strengthening operational effectiveness. Participants were urged to draw inspiration from his command philosophy, which focuses on transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency environments.
General Shaibu further tasked the Chief of Special Services and Programmes and his team to explore emerging opportunities within the hospitality industry to raise service standards and boost the viability of Army Officers’ Mess and Suites and other Army hospitality establishments across the country.
The COAS also expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his consistent strategic guidance and unwavering support to the Nigerian Army, reaffirming the loyalty of officers and soldiers to the Constitution and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Earlier, the Chief of Special Services and Programmes, Major General Aminu Garba, said the department had remained committed to repositioning Command Guest Houses for improved service delivery, operational viability and customer satisfaction. He thanked the COAS for his sustained support, which he said had led to improved quality management practices and increased customer retention.
The conference drew Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, senior officers, heads of Army establishments, Command Guest House managers nationwide, as well as top executives and professionals from the hospitality industry.
