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Only 200 South-East Youths Applied For Army Recruitment – Military Cries Out

Published

1 month ago

Apr 17, 2025.

Only 200 South-East Youths Applied For Army Recruitment
Soludo urges communities to mobilize 10 youths each for recruitment.
IPOB opposes drive, citing marginalisation and security concerns.

The Nigerian Army has expressed deep concern over the low turnout of applicants from the South-East region in the ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise.

According to Brigadier General Chima Ekeator, who leads the Army Force Headquarters Recruitment Sensitisation Team in Anambra State, only 200 youths from the region have registered for enlistment so far.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Ekeator revealed this during a sensitisation event targeting youth leaders and Presidents-General (P-Gs) from various Anambra communities. He emphasized the urgent need to mobilize young people across the South-East to take part in the recruitment process to ensure balanced representation in the Nigerian military.

“This sensitisation is necessary because, according to records, only 200 persons have registered from the South-East, while in other states, not less than 4,000 persons have registered,” he said.

He called on community leaders to rally youths and encourage them to seize the opportunity, stressing that increased participation would help the region fulfill its allotted quota in the Army.

In support of the Army’s effort, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to engaging youths in the process. Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Patrick Aghamba, the governor urged traditional rulers and community leaders to identify and recruit at least 10 young persons each to enlist in the military.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, noted that the recruitment is targeted at individuals aged 18 to 22 and appealed to eligible youths to consider joining the Army.

However, the recruitment campaign has drawn criticism from the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which released a statement warning against encouraging Igbo youths to join the military.

In the statement, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful alleged that the Nigerian Army is engaging South-East leaders to drive enlistment, a move the group views with suspicion.

“The Nigerian Army is seeking the help of Igbo leaders to lure our youth into the military. Before encouraging our youths to enlist, we urge community leaders to consider the track record of treatment toward officers of Igbo origin and the broader issues of equity, justice, and representation,” the statement read.

200 South-East Youths Applied For Army

IPOB accused the military of marginalising the South-East in recruitment and career advancement, claiming that Igbo officers are underrepresented in senior military and security positions nationwide. The group also raised concerns about the welfare of soldiers deployed to conflict zones and demanded greater transparency regarding casualties in ongoing security operations.