Babatunji Wusu –
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The Nigerian Army has expressed concern over the low number of applications from the Southeast for its 2025 recruitment.
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Enugu has received fewer than 100 applications, while Kaduna State has seen over 3,000.
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Brigadier-General Chima Ekeator calls for Southeast youths to apply in greater numbers to fill their allocated quotas.
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Ekeator refutes claims that Southeast personnel are being disproportionately sent to battlefronts.
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Local leaders and officials emphasize the importance of better recruitment strategies and improved awareness.
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Enugu’s leadership remains committed to ensuring the state fills its Army quotas.
The Nigerian Army has raised alarms over the low turnout of applicants from the Southeast region for its 2025 recruitment drive. Brigadier-General Chima Ekeator, leading the Army’s recruitment enlightenment team, addressed the issue on Sunday in Enugu. According to Ekeator, while Kaduna State has seen more than 3,000 applications, Enugu State has only received about 100—a trend consistent across the Southeast.
Ekeator urged Southeast youths to apply in greater numbers, stressing that the region risks losing opportunities to fill its allocated slots. He remarked, “Our people are losing what rightly belongs to them. Each year, the number of applicants from our region remains low, which affects our ability to meet recruitment quotas.”
In his address, he highlighted that Enugu State, for example, was allocated 200 slots, but fewer than 100 applicants were successful in filling these positions. He cautioned that, without a significant increase in applications, there would not be enough candidates to recruit from the state.
Additionally, Ekeator refuted claims that Southeast personnel are disproportionately sent to the frontlines and suffer higher casualties. He emphasized that many Igbos have risen to prominent positions within the Army, including Chibueze Ogbuabor, a top commander responsible for equipment. He reassured the public, “The notion that our people are being sent first to the battlefield and dying in large numbers is false.”
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, expressed regret over the persistent issue and called for a reevaluation of the Army’s recruitment advertising methods. Ekweremadu suggested a need for modern, more engaging strategies to appeal to the younger generation, reflecting global recruitment trends.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State reiterated his commitment to filling the state’s quota and described military service as a respected profession worldwide. Local leaders, including Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of ALGON, and traditional rulers like Lieutenant Colonel Israel Mbah (rtd.), also voiced their support for the Army and urged youths to enlist, stressing the need for improved awareness and understanding of the benefits of military service.
