Buratai's Firm and Foreign Allies Plan to Upgrade Nigerian Army Hospitals

The former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, on Thursday, led a group of private sector players and foreign partners to the Army Headquarters in Abuja. They met with current military leaders to discuss a proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to upgrade the Nigerian Army's healthcare facilities.

This was shared in a statement by the army’s acting spokesperson, Appolnia Anele.

Colonel Anele said the meeting looked into ways to create a sustainable PPP aimed at developing and upgrading Nigerian Army healthcare facilities.

“Areas of potential collaboration include the development and upgrade of hospitals, provision of modern medical equipment, pharmaceutical support, and deployment of digital health solutions across all Army establishments,” she noted.

Mr. Buratai, a retired lieutenant general, and his team were welcomed by the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, who is also a lieutenant general.

Buratai was the army chief from 2015 to 2021, after which he became Nigeria’s ambassador to Benin Republic.

The delegation included Honey Star Resources Limited, a private firm linked to the Buratai family and run by Mr. Buratai’s son, Hamisu Buratai.

Mr. Hamisu represented the family company at the meeting, along with its Deputy Managing Director, Abduljabbar Kolo.

The group also had foreign partners and diplomatic figures. A long-time diplomat and former Egypt’s deputy minister of foreign affairs, Achraf Ibrahim, headed the representatives of Moharram & Partners (M&P). Ahmed Tarek represented Elevate Egypt.

The League of African Ambassadors was represented by its President, Nwanne Omihe, and another diplomat named Ambassador Ijeoma.

While receiving the group, Mr. Shaibu said the health and wellbeing of soldiers and their families were key to his “Soldier First” philosophy and vital for the army’s readiness.

“The COAS further stressed that a healthy, motivated, and well-supported force is fundamental to operational readiness, morale, and sustained effectiveness,” the army spokesperson said, adding that Mr. Shaibu welcomed credible partnerships.

“The Army welcomes credible partnerships that can bring in investment, know-how, technology, and innovative healthcare solutions to back government efforts,” the army chief was quoted as saying.

The proposed plan is still at the early stage, with no formal contract signed or announced during the meeting.

“With the combined strengths of Honey Star Resources, M&P, Elevate Egypt, and the diplomatic backing of the League of African Ambassadors, this collaboration shows another important step towards building a stronger healthcare system that supports troops, boosts operational readiness, and enhances the Army’s ability to deal with Nigeria’s changing security issues,” the army spokesperson said.

Nigeria’s military has a large healthcare system, but official statements highlight funding shortages, rising costs, staff shortages, and the need for better-equipped facilities. This makes the modernisation partnership being discussed even more essential.