RismadarVoice Reporters
September 16, 2026
The Nigerian Army and Ecobank Nigeria have moved to strengthen their longstanding partnership, with a renewed focus on expanding financial opportunities and welfare support for military personnel and their families.
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Wednesday when the Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Shaibu said the relationship between the Nigerian Army and the bank, which has lasted for more than two decades, had produced benefits for both institutions, particularly in supporting the financial well-being of officers and soldiers.
He said partnerships with established institutions could contribute to maintaining a professional, resilient and motivated military force.
ARMY SEEKS FLEXIBLE FINANCIAL SCHEMES FOR PERSONNEL
The Army chief directed the service’s finance leadership to engage Ecobank on developing flexible financial programmes tailored to the particular circumstances and needs of military personnel.
The proposed arrangements are expected to improve access to financial products and provide officers and soldiers with greater flexibility in managing their finances.
Shaibu also urged the bank to expand its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in areas that complement existing Nigerian Army welfare programmes.
He identified wounded personnel, widows and children of fallen soldiers among groups that could benefit from increased private-sector support.
According to the COAS, interventions targeted at these groups could contribute to improving the welfare of serving personnel and military families.
ECOBANK PROPOSES INSURANCE, LENDING SERVICES
Lawal, meanwhile, thanked the Nigerian Army for what he described as the confidence and cooperation extended to Ecobank during their longstanding relationship.
He said the bank was prepared to deepen the partnership by developing specialised financial services for Army personnel.
These would include insurance and lending solutions aimed at increasing financial inclusion and providing officers and soldiers with greater access to appropriate financial products.
The Ecobank managing director said the institution was also looking to extend customised financial services to major Nigerian Army establishments and formations across the country.
Among those identified were the Nigerian Defence Academy, Depot Nigerian Army, Army divisions and other formations.
Lawal said expanding the services would give more military personnel access to financial products while further strengthening cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the bank.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on September 16 by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
