The Nigerian Army has raised concerns over the alarmingly low number of applications for its 2025 recruitment drive from Southeast Nigeria. Brigadier-General Chima Ekeator, who is leading the recruitment outreach, highlighted the stark disparity between states, noting that while Kaduna State had received over 3,000 applications, Enugu State struggled with fewer than 100.
Addressing the issue in Enugu on Sunday, Ekeator appealed to Southeast youths to apply in greater numbers to meet the region’s allocated recruitment quotas. He stressed that the region was consistently underperforming in terms of applicants, a trend he described as a loss of opportunities for the people of the Southeast.
“Our people are losing what rightly belongs to them,” Ekeator remarked. “Each year, whenever a slot is allocated to our region, the number of applicants is typically low. For example, Enugu State was given around 200 slots, but less than 100 applicants were recruited due to a lack of interest.”
The recruitment officer compared the numbers from Enugu to those of Kaduna, where the number of applications was significantly higher, further underscoring the imbalance. He expressed concerns that if the trend continued, the Southeast would face difficulty filling its recruitment quotas.
In response to persistent rumors alleging that Southeast soldiers are disproportionately sent to the front lines, Ekeator debunked these claims. He emphasized that these accusations were unfounded and dismissed the notion that Igbo soldiers were being targeted for frontline duty. “There are a lot of falsehoods out there stating that Southeast soldiers are being killed because they are the first to be sent to the battlefield,” he said. “These are lies. Today, our people are holding strategic positions in the Nigerian Army, including Colonel Chibueze Ogbuabor, a top commander responsible for equipment management.”
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Barrister Lloyd Ekweremadu, expressed regret over the enduring trend of low applications from the Southeast, despite efforts to address the issue. He called for a reassessment of the Army’s recruitment advertising strategies to better connect with the youth. “We must embrace new strategies to engage the next generation, as they communicate in ways that are different from the past,” Ekweremadu stated.
Governor Peter Mbah, through Ekweremadu, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that Enugu State meets its recruitment quota. He called the military a highly respected and noble profession, urging more young people to consider enlisting.
In a show of support, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), pledged to strengthen cooperation with the military to improve recruitment efforts. He also encouraged the Army to address concerns raised by the youth to make military service more appealing.
Several traditional leaders and community figures, including State Coordinator of Presidents-General of Enugu State Town Unions, Hon. Arinze Ogbodo, and former Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu, also voiced support for military recruitment. They emphasized the need for continued enlightenment efforts, urging young people to enlist and serve their country.
As part of the ongoing discussion, Lieutenant Colonel Israel Mbah (rtd.), the traditional ruler of Nomeh Unataeze, reflected on his own experience in the military, encouraging young people to join the force. “I survived every war. I did mine, and today I am a traditional ruler. Our young people should follow the same path,” he concluded.
The Nigerian Army’s call to action underscores the critical need for greater participation from Southeast youths in the military, ensuring that the region does not miss out on the opportunities that come with serving in the armed forces.
