FG Launches Online Discount Shop For Military Personnel, Veterans

The Federal Government has launched the Armed Forces of Nigeria Personnel Online Discount Shop, a digital welfare initiative designed to provide serving military personnel, veterans and their families with access to essential goods at discounted prices.

The platform was launched in Abuja on Thursday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who commended the Defence Headquarters and other stakeholders for developing the initiative. The launch and details of the scheme were confirmed in a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Akume said the welfare of members of the Armed Forces should extend beyond operational capabilities, stressing that the wellbeing of personnel and their families was an important component of sustaining a motivated and resilient military.

According to him, the initiative would contribute to efforts to ease financial pressures on personnel, improve access to essential goods and services and enhance their quality of life.

The scheme leverages the Konga digital platform in partnership with Zinox Group. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Defence Headquarters and Zinox Group to establish a framework for cooperation between the Armed Forces and the private sector.

Akume particularly welcomed the inclusion of veterans and their families, saying their contributions and sacrifices during peace time and national security challenges deserved continued recognition and support.

He urged Defence Headquarters and other stakeholders to ensure that the scheme remained transparent, reliable and responsive to beneficiaries’ needs, noting that its credibility would ultimately depend on the quality of service and tangible benefits delivered.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, described the initiative as more than an online shopping platform, saying it represented a people-centred approach to welfare within the Armed Forces.

Oluyede said the scheme would be expanded to accommodate more vendors and essential commodities, while plans were also underway to establish physical outlets in the future. He said accurate data would be critical to sustaining and expanding the initiative.

The CDS said the Armed Forces would continue to explore technology and partnerships with the private sector to improve welfare and service delivery for personnel and their families.

Akume expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for the Armed Forces and encouraged eligible personnel and veterans to make effective use of the platform.