The Nigerian Army has expressed concern over the low turnout of youth from the South-Eastern region for enlistment into the military.
Speaking during a sensitization campaign in Awka, Brig.-Gen. Uche Nnabuihe raised the issue, revealing that Anambra state recorded only 117 applications out of 38,000 nationwide for the 91 Regular Recruits Intake Exercise.
Registration for the recruitment, which is open to both tradesmen and non-tradesmen, began on March 30 and will run until May 17, 2026.
What the army is saying
Nnabuihe led an Army delegation to Awka to sensitise youth in Anambra about the recruitment process. He highlighted that the figures were recorded as of April 7, prior to the nationwide awareness campaign.
- “Out of 38,000 applications nationwide, only 117 came from Anambra,” he stated, emphasizing the need for more youth from Anambra and the South-East to take advantage of the ongoing recruitment before the May 17 deadline.
- “This sensitisation is to correct that imbalance and encourage our youths to take advantage of opportunities in the Nigerian Army,” Nnabuihe added, urging eligible youths to apply.
He stressed that the Nigerian Army offers structured career paths, national service opportunities, and various benefits.
More insights
Lt.-Col. Ogbemudia Osawe shared additional information about the Army’s expanded training infrastructure, which now includes new facilities in Abakaliki and Osogbo to accommodate more recruits.
Osawe emphasized the benefits of joining the Army, including career progression, regular pay, continuous military education, and specialised training.
Recruits also enjoy welfare packages, free medical care for their families, pensions, gratuities, and the opportunity for international assignments.
Ifeatu Emodi, Permanent Secretary of the Anambra Ministry of Youths, commended the initiative. He pointed out that declining interest among youth is due to misconceptions and misinformation about the Army.
What you should know
The Nigerian Army has made the 91 Regular Recruits Intake Exercise accessible online for both tradesmen and non-tradesmen.
The recruitment process is part of the Army’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its personnel capacity.
Successful candidates will undergo screening in their respective states of origin from June 9 to 23, 2026.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be single, Nigerian by birth, and possess a valid National Identity Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) slip, with matching names and dates of birth.
- Non-tradesmen/women must be between 18–22 years old, while tradesmen/women can be up to 26 years by June 30, 2026.
- Height requirements: 1.68m for males and 1.65m for females.
- Candidates must have at least four passes in WASSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB/NBAIS, including English.
The Army is keen to improve recruitment from the South-East and encourage youth to explore the opportunities in the military service.
Yes there will continue to be low turn out because on the training field the south East are mostly targeted, to the point life is lost . The moment they see your state you become a target to ensure you undergo all the rigorous process while other state goes unnoticed.
Exactly. Once they notice that you’re from the South East that individual becomes their target.
You don’t talk about a problem without addressing the cause. Why are the youths from the South losing interest in military service? That should be addressed first. Instead of beating about the bush.
Because 2016,2015 I applied all kinds of military work after shortlisted for applications and exams you will see your name again for the job .
That’s why majority loose interest.
Because 2016,2015 I applied all kinds of military work after shortlisted for applications and exams you will not see your name again for the job .your name will be replaced with northern name that did not even applied for the job more talk of writing exam
That’s why majority loose interest.and also how South East been treated during exam excise, documentation excise.
Maybe they are tired of been sacrificed to the terrorist on a daily basis, maybe they are tired of sacrificing thier lifes to a less deserving course, maybe they are tired of creating more widows, more fatherless children, more parents weeping over their children while the top military tiers smile to the bank, while the insurgency boasts on life social media, while the sponsor of this beast clap in the background.
You sent your soldiers with rusty weapon to war to be assassinated then turn round to give a hug to the captured terrorist labelling them “repentant”, feed them fat to go continue the “game” while we weep over our brothers, fathers, uncles, friends who thinking they are fighting for a honourable national course unaware that they are not soldiers of the 63NA that our fathers were, not aware that they are not the soldiers we use to applaud and give standing ovation in the 80s/90s, not knowing they are nothing more than a sacrificial lamb to the failed nation Nigeria who reward criminals and purnish the just, who crown the terrorist and leave their victim to languish in pain, who honours bandits and purnish the soldiers that dare battle them.
Our sons fron the East are no more fools nor bastereds, they are now seeing the map work and have decided to stop been the pawn on the bloody chess board
Why can’t south east be president, why can’t south east take over the nation too just like hausa and Yoruba, why can’t south east live a normal life, what can’t south east be given freedom to participate and get approved in anything concerning the country and lastly why can’t we be given freedom to be our own own country, we need freedom, we need Biafra, and we will never be soldier’s of Nigeria because Nigeria is not our country simple. You can go to hell with your military shit we don’t care and we don’t need it
My opinion, most youths have been applying for this uniform job for several times but to no avail.
Some have started earlier at their rightful age and still not getting it. I think that’s a good reason for not gearing up to ward applying for it.