The Nigerian Army has expressed concerns over the low participation of South East youths in the ongoing 2025 military recruitment exercise, urging a change in attitude to reverse the trend. The Army noted that while states like Kaduna have received a high number of applications, with over 3,000 applicants, Enugu State has struggled to secure even 100 applications.
Brigadier-General Chima Ekeator, leader of the 2025 Army recruitment enlightenment team, made the appeal during an enlightenment town hall meeting in Enugu, where he met with local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and community leaders. Ekeator lamented that Enugu State, for example, had been allocated 200 slots but had failed to meet the target due to poor applications.
He emphasized the importance of the South East region filling its recruitment quotas, explaining that the lack of applicants from the region ultimately affects the Army’s ability to recruit from the state. “Our people are losing what rightly belongs to them,” Ekeator stated, pointing out that this trend has been consistent in other South East states as well.
Addressing Misconceptions About the Army
Ekeator also addressed ongoing misconceptions about the treatment of South East soldiers in the Nigerian Army, particularly the claim that they are disproportionately sent to the front lines and killed. He refuted these claims, noting that South East soldiers hold strategic positions within the Army, including one of the top commanders in charge of military equipment, Chibueze Ogbuabor.
Calls for Better Recruitment Strategies
Enugu State’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Dr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, acknowledged the persistent issue and called for a review of the Army’s recruitment advertising strategies. He emphasized the need to communicate the benefits of military service to the younger generation using modern, more effective strategies.
Ekweremadu also reiterated Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to ensuring the state meets its recruitment quota, highlighting the military as a noble profession that is highly respected globally.
Local Support for the Army
Okechukwu Edeh, Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), pledged the full support of local government councils in encouraging youth enlistment. However, he called on the Army to address any concerns and make military service more appealing to young people.
Additional voices from the community, including Arinze Ogbodo, State Coordinator of Presidents-General of Enugu State Town Unions, and traditional leaders such as Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu and Lieutenant Colonel Israel Mbah (retd), also endorsed the idea of youth recruitment. They emphasized the importance of more enlightenment to encourage young people to join the Army.
As the recruitment continues, the Nigerian Army hopes that these efforts will help boost participation from the South East, ensuring the region plays a strong role in strengthening the country’s military capacity.
