Again, army decries low South-East enrolment
The Nigerian Army has expressed concern over what it described as the low level of enrolment from the South-East in the ongoing recruitment, revealing that Anambra recorded only 117 applicants out of 38,000 applications received nationwide.
This was disclosed during a sensitisation event held at the Ministry of Youths’ office in Awka, the state capital.
The leader of the army delegation to sensitise youths in Awka, Brig.-Gen. Uche Nnabuihe, said the figure was recorded as of April 7, before the commencement of a nationwide awareness campaign for the 91 Regular Recruits Intake.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that in April 2025, the Nigerian Army had raised concerns over the poor enrolment of South-East youths in its recruitment exercise.
The leader of the 2025 army recruitment enlightenment team, Chima Ekeator, had said the South-East was gradually losing out on what was rightfully theirs.
Speaking during a town hall meeting in Enugu, Ekeator said out of 200 slots allocated to South-East states in last year’s recruitment, the region barely recorded 100 applications.
“Our people are losing what rightly belongs to them. Each year, whenever a slot is being allocated to our people, we keep noticing that the number of applicants from our side is usually very poor,” Ekeator said.
Speaking at the sensitisation on Saturday, Nnabuihe said the programme was aimed at encouraging more youths from Anambra and the South-East to participate in the recruitment, which is open to tradesmen and non-tradesmen, and will close on May 27.
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He added that the sensitisation was intended to correct the imbalance and encourage youths to take advantage of the opportunities available in the Nigerian Army.
Nnabuihe said, “We observed with concern that out of 38,000 applications received nationwide, only 117 came from Anambra as of April 7.
“This sensitisation is to correct that imbalance and encourage our youths to take advantage of the opportunities available in the Nigerian Army.
“We urge eligible youths to apply. The Army offers a structured career path and opportunities for national service.”
Also speaking, Lt.-Col. Ogbemudia Osawe said the Army had expanded its training infrastructure with institutions in Abakaliki and Osogbo to accommodate recruits.
Osawe highlighted the benefits of joining the service to include career progression, regular pay and allowances, access to continuous military education, and specialised training.
Other benefits include exposure to diverse cultures, welfare packages, free medical care for personnel and their families, as well as pension and gratuity.
He added that personnel also have opportunities for international assignments.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Youths, Ifeatu Emodi, commended the initiative, describing military enlistment as crucial, especially for youths in the South-East.
Emodi said many young people in the region had shown declining interest due to misconceptions and misinformation about the Army.
A traditional ruler, Igwe Michael Okeke-Uche of Enugwu-Agidi, also lauded the welfare structure of the Nigerian Army and urged youths to enlist to ensure adequate representation of the South-East in the military.
Credit: Punch