Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has made an urgent plea to parents, traditional rulers, and community leaders in the South-East of Nigeria to inspire more young people to enlist in the Nigerian Army, as the region has been experiencing persistently low recruitment turnout. This situation has led to many recruitment slots allocated to South-East states remaining unfilled, which subsequently results in these vacancies being reassigned to applicants from other regions.

During a recent engagement with stakeholders in Umuahia, Abia State, represented by Major General Chima Ekeator, Commander of the Nigerian Army Recruitment, Resettlement and Reserve Department, Oluyede emphasized the importance of having every region adequately represented in the Army. He urged community leaders to actively promote the benefits of military service, which include a range of career, training, and welfare opportunities available to eligible Nigerians.

Oluyede assured the stakeholders that the recruitment process is both transparent and fair, designed to offer equitable opportunities for all youths. He pointed out that enlistment is not only a chance to serve the country but also a pathway to professional growth through access to education, healthcare, accommodation, and various other welfare benefits. He highlighted that many South-East states have not filled their recruitment quotas despite numerous recruitment slots provided, which diminishes their representation in the Nigerian Army.

The Chief of Army Staff reiterated the necessity of increased participation from the South-East, warning that low turnout leads to a significant loss in regional representation and employment opportunities for the youth. His call for action coincides with the ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise, where the Nigerian Army aims to attract interest from qualified applicants across the country.

Oluyede also addressed concerns regarding misinformation surrounding the enlistment process, emphasizing that the recruitment is merit-based and urging youths not to be deterred by misconceptions. The focus on boosting recruitment in the South-East has been a consistent theme in previous exercises, underscoring the need for community engagement to improve regional recruitment statistics and enhance the presence of the South-East in the nation’s armed forces.