- The Nigerian Army says South-East youth participation in recruitment is low
- Anambra recorded only 117 applications out of 38,000 nationwide
- The army urged more South-East youths to apply for the 91 Regular Recruits Intake Exercise closes on May 17, 2026
The Nigerian Army has expressed concern over the low number of young people from the South-East applying for military recruitment, particularly in Anambra State.
Speaking during a sensitisation campaign in Awka, Brigadier General Uche Nnabuihe said Anambra had recorded just 117 applications out of the 38,000 submitted nationwide for the ongoing 91 Regular Recruits Intake Exercise.
Registration for the recruitment exercise, which is open to both tradesmen and non-tradesmen, began on March 30 and will remain open until May 17, 2026.
Nnabuihe, who led an Army delegation to Awka, explained that the low figures were recorded as of April 7, before the awareness campaign began.
“Out of 38,000 applications nationwide, only 117 came from Anambra,” he stated.
He stressed the need for more young people from Anambra and the wider South-East region to apply before the 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.
According to him, the Nigerian Army offers structured career growth, opportunities for national service, and several welfare benefits.
Lt.-Col. Ogbemudia Osawe also highlighted the Army’s expanded training infrastructure, noting that new facilities have been established in Abakaliki and Osogbo to accommodate more recruits.
Osawe said enlistment in the Army comes with benefits such as career progression, steady salaries, military education, and specialised training opportunities.
He added that recruits are also entitled to welfare packages, free healthcare for their families, pensions, gratuities, and international assignments.
Permanent Secretary of the Anambra Ministry of Youths, Ifeatu Emodi, commended the sensitisation exercise, saying many young people avoid the Army because of misconceptions and misinformation about military service.
The Nigerian Army has made applications for the 91 Regular Recruits Intake Exercise available online for both tradesmen and non-tradesmen as part of efforts to strengthen its workforce.
Successful applicants will undergo screening in their states of origin between June 9 and June 23, 2026.
To qualify, applicants must be single, Nigerian by birth, and possess a valid National Identity Number and Bank Verification Number slip with matching names and dates of birth.
Non-tradesmen and women must be between 18 and 22 years old, while tradesmen and women can be up to 26 years old by June 30, 2026.
Applicants must also meet the Army’s height requirements of 1.68 metres for males and 1.65 metres for females, in addition to having at least four credits in WASSCE, GCE, NECO, NABTEB, or NBAIS, including English.
The Army says it hopes to improve recruitment numbers from the South-East and encourage more young people in the region to consider military service.
Nigeria launches Armed Forces Medical College amid 340,000-doctor shortfall
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government had announced plans to establish the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM&HS), a bold initiative aimed at boosting military medical readiness while expanding Nigeria’s healthcare training capacity.
As part of the NESRI 6-Point Agenda, particularly its focus on strengthening STEMM education, the proposed college is designed to create a sustainable pipeline of combat casualty-trained doctors, trauma surgeons, emergency response medics, military public health experts, disaster and humanitarian response professionals, and other allied health specialists for the Armed Forces.