Integrated Administrative Protocols Critical to Optimizing Medical Services, Troops’ Welfare – COAS

Abuja, Nigeria | April 7, 2026

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has emphasised that the effective delivery of medical services within the Nigerian Army depends largely on the integration of standardized administrative protocols and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.

He made this known on Tuesday while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML), Surgeon Rear Admiral Azeeze Bayo Afolayan (Rtd), during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
The COAS noted that as the Nigerian Army sustains complex operations across the six geopolitical zones, maintaining the physical and mental readiness of personnel remains a top strategic priority. He stressed that achieving this requires a responsive, efficient, and modern healthcare system that adequately supports troops in active service.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further highlighted that the welfare of personnel must go beyond active duty to include the well-being of retired service members. He observed that retirement often brings socio-economic challenges due to limited access to resources, stressing the need for sustained institutional support.

According to him, the Nigerian Army has a lifelong obligation to its veterans, advocating for a comprehensive welfare framework that guarantees access to financial and medical support after years of dedicated service. He also described the DHML Managing Director as a valuable insider whose continued contributions after retirement underscore the importance of institutional experience in national development.
In his remarks, Surgeon Rear Admiral Afolayan (Rtd) called for the institutionalisation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), particularly within human resources and administrative units of military medical services. He explained that efficient healthcare delivery depends on structured processes, standardized documentation, and clear operational guidelines rather than informal or ad-hoc systems.

He added that such reforms would ensure accurate data management for medical personnel and eliminate administrative bottlenecks that could delay access to care for troops and their families across the country.
The DHML Managing Director also outlined a strategy to enhance the use of Secondary Care Providers (SCPs), noting that expanding and effectively utilising these facilities would allow for better distribution of medical personnel across various formations. This, he said, would improve access to specialist care, especially for troops deployed in high-risk operational areas, while ensuring a more efficient and cost-effective healthcare system.

The engagement reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening its medical services through improved administrative structures, innovation, and sustained collaboration aimed at enhancing troops’ welfare and operational effectiveness.
Appolonia Anele
Colonel
Acting Director, Army Public Relations
April 7, 2026