The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has announced a major plan to recruit and train 24,000 new soldiers as part of efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army in response to escalating security challenges across the country.
Shaibu made this known during his visit to the 1 Division in Kaduna, where he addressed officers ranging from second lieutenants to lieutenant colonels. He explained that the large-scale recruitment is aimed at boosting manpower and improving readiness for nationwide deployments.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved three new training facilities designed to train 12,000 soldiers within six months. The capacity could be increased to 24,000 if two training streams are conducted simultaneously.
He added that the facilities are strategically located and equipped to produce well-trained recruits with modern warfare skills, improved tactical knowledge, and enhanced weapon-handling abilities. The focus, he stressed, is not just on increasing troop numbers but also on ensuring high-quality, professional training.
Shaibu reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to the “Soldier First” principle, promising improved welfare for personnel and urging senior officers to mentor incoming recruits.
The recruitment initiative comes at a time of heightened insecurity, marked by insurgency, banditry, and frequent school kidnappings. Recent attacks, including the abduction of 25 students and the killing of a vice principal at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, have intensified calls for stronger defence capabilities.
Lawmakers have argued that Nigeria’s current military strength—despite being ranked the third most powerful in Africa in 2022—remains insufficient to meet present security demands. The new recruitment drive is expected to enhance security operations across conflict-prone regions.
