The Nigerian Army has raised concern about a significant disparity in military enlistment figures from the South-East geopolitical zone, disclosing that Anambra State accounted for only 117 of the 38,000 applications received nationwide for the 91 Regular Recruits Intake, as of early April.
Brigadier General Uche Nnabuihe, who led an army sensitisation delegation to Awka, the Anambra State capital, said the figure was recorded on April 7 before a nationwide awareness campaign was launched, and stressed that the exercise was aimed specifically at correcting the imbalance and encouraging more young people from the South-East to take advantage of the opportunity before the May 27, 2026 deadline.
“This sensitisation is to correct that imbalance and encourage our youths to take advantage of opportunities in the Nigerian Army,” he said, noting that the institution offered a structured career path with real prospects for national service and personal development.
Lieutenant Colonel Ogbemudia Osawe complemented the message by informing potential recruits that training infrastructure had expanded, with new facilities now established in Abakaliki and Osogbo to accommodate incoming batches. He outlined the range of benefits available to army personnel, including career progression, regular pay, continuous military education, specialised skills training, exposure to diverse cultures, comprehensive welfare packages, free medical care for dependents, pension and gratuity entitlements, and opportunities for international assignments.
Anambra State Ministry of Youths Permanent Secretary Ifeatu Emodi welcomed the initiative, describing military enlistment as a critical opportunity for South-Eastern youths and attributing declining interest in the army to misconceptions and misinformation about military life.
The traditional ruler of Enugwu-Agidi, Igwe Michael Okeke-Uche, also praised the army’s welfare structure and urged youths to enlist, framing regional representation within the armed forces as a matter of both opportunity and community pride.
