Army to Recruit 24,000 New Soldiers as COAS Shaibu Unveils Massive Expansion Plan

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has unveiled an ambitious plan to recruit and train 24,000 soldiers to reinforce the Nigerian Army’s operational strength amid escalating security threats across the country.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development Wednesday in a post on X, noting that the Army Chief announced the initiative during an operational visit to the 1 Division in Kaduna.

Shaibu, while addressing officers from the rank of second lieutenant to lieutenant colonel, said the recruitment drive forms part of a renewed strategy to boost readiness and expand manpower for nationwide deployments. He revealed that President Bola Tinubu is set to train 12,000 soldiers within six months, with the capacity to scale up the figure to 24,000 if the Army runs two training streams simultaneously.

He explained that the training facilities are strategically positioned to produce soldiers equipped with modern warfare skills, improved weapon handling, and tactical expertise. Beyond increasing troop numbers, Shaibu stressed the Army’s commitment to delivering high-quality training rooted in combat tactics, leadership principles, and discipline.

Reaffirming the “Soldier First” concept, the Army Chief pledged better welfare and support systems for both incoming and serving personnel. He also urged senior officers to mentor new recruits to sustain professionalism and uphold the Army’s core values.

Shaibu’s visit included discussions on operational logistics, welfare programmes, and ongoing efforts to strengthen capabilities in the North West and other active theatres. The massive recruitment drive is expected to significantly boost manpower and enhance the Army’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging security challenges nationwide.