The Nigerian Army has urged Ecobank Nigeria to develop flexible financial schemes and expand welfare support for officers, soldiers and their families.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, made the call on Wednesday when Ecobank Managing Director, Mr Bolaji Lawal, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Army Headquarters, Abuja.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, on Thursday in Abuja.
Shaibu said the Army’s partnership with Ecobank, spanning more than two decades, had remained mutually beneficial, particularly in promoting the financial well-being of personnel.
He directed the Army’s finance leadership to engage the bank on developing bespoke financial products that reflected the peculiar needs of military personnel.
The COAS also urged Ecobank to expand its Corporate Social Responsibility interventions to complement the Army’s welfare programmes.
He specifically sought support for wounded-in-action personnel, widows and children of fallen soldiers, saying such interventions would contribute to improving troops’ welfare.
Shaibu said strong institutional partnerships were essential to sustaining a professional, resilient and motivated Army.
In his remarks, the ECOBank chief, Lawal said the bank was ready to deepen its partnership with the Army through specialised banking, insurance and lending solutions.
He said the initiatives would enhance financial inclusion and provide greater financial flexibility for officers and soldiers.
Lawal also disclosed plans to extend bespoke financial services to major Army institutions and formations, including the Nigerian Defence Academy, Depot Nigerian Army and divisions nationwide.
He said the initiative would broaden personnel’s access to financial services while strengthening institutional cooperation between the bank and the Nigerian Army.
