COAS urges regional leaders to mobilise youths for military service as 2,989 recruits complete training
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has expressed concern over the persistently low enlistment of youths from Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone into the Nigerian Army, urging traditional rulers, parents and community leaders to encourage more young people to embrace military service.
Speaking on Wednesday at the passing-out parade of the pioneer batch of 90 regular recruits at the Nigerian Army Recruit Training Depot, Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, the Army Chief said the recruitment quota allocated to the South-East had remained largely unfilled for years, describing the situation as unacceptable.
According to him, the region must take full advantage of the opportunities available in the military, stressing that serving in the Nigerian Army is both an honour and a patriotic responsibility.
“We ask for your continued support because military service is very demanding. Please stand by them, encourage them and pray for them.
“To our hosts, the Ndigbo, I humbly appeal to you to encourage your youths to take their rightful place in the defence of our fatherland.
“For some time now, the recruitment quota allocated to this zone has not been fully utilised. This should not continue. Military service is not just a career but an honourable endeavour of patriotism, leadership and national contribution.
“I therefore urge community leaders, parents, guardians and elders across the South-East to encourage our young men and women to regard this depot as their own and step forward to serve the nation,” he said.
New depot to strengthen national integration
Shaibu noted that the Amasiri-Edda Recruit Training Depot, established on November 25, 2025, is the Nigerian Army’s third recruit training depot and the first primary military training institution located in the South-East.
He said the establishment of the facility reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting national integration, inclusiveness and balanced development across the country.
The Army Chief described the graduation of the pioneer recruits as a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army.
He explained that the 90 soldiers are part of the first batch of 14,000 recruits approved under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Strategic Force Expansion Initiative, which is designed to strengthen the Army’s manpower and improve its operational capability in tackling terrorism, insurgency, banditry, separatist violence and other emerging security threats.
“These recruits passing out today are part of the first batch of 14,000 recruits that will eventually make up the 28,000 recruits approved by Mr President under his Strategic Force Expansion Initiative,” he said.
Shaibu also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the establishment of the recruit training depot and providing the resources required for its successful take-off.
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Addressing the newly graduated recruits, the Army Chief charged them to uphold professionalism, respect human rights during military operations and strictly comply with the Nigerian Army’s social media policy.
He warned that the indiscriminate use of social media by military personnel has become a growing concern with serious operational and institutional consequences.
“A growing trend of indiscretion on social media has had serious consequences for our personnel,” he said.
According to him, the unauthorised posting of operational information, images of military activities, sensitive locations, as well as the dissemination of unverified and misleading content, constitutes a serious breach of military regulations.
“Let me be clear: violations of the Nigerian Army’s social media policy can and will attract disciplinary measures, including dismissal from service where necessary.
“The implications of such misconduct are far-reaching. For the individual soldier, it represents the loss of career, honour and livelihood. For the Nigerian Army, it undermines discipline, operational security, morale and institutional credibility,” he warned.
Earlier, the Nigerian Army disclosed that 3,011 recruits commenced the training programme, while 2,989 successfully completed the rigorous military training and passed out, underscoring the Army’s ongoing efforts to expand its personnel strength and enhance national security operations.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.