The Nigerian Army has expressed concern about the low number of youths from the South East region applying for military service in the ongoing 2025 recruitment exercise.
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During a town hall meeting in Enugu, Brigadier-General Ekeator urged a change in the region’s approach to military enlistment, stressing that the South East might be missing out on valuable opportunities due to the poor response. Enugu State, which was allocated 200 slots, has struggled to meet its recruitment quota.
Ekeator highlighted a stark disparity, with Kaduna State receiving over 3,000 applications, while Enugu State reported fewer than 100 applicants. He also addressed misconceptions, denying claims that South Easterners are disproportionately deployed to the frontlines and suffer higher casualties. He reassured the public that such allegations are baseless and that individuals from the region occupy key roles in the Army.
In response, Enugu State’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Lloyd Ekweremadu, called for a review of recruitment strategies, advocating for better communication on the benefits of joining the military. Ekweremadu emphasized the need for collective action to reverse the current trend and help the state meet its recruitment targets.
Local leaders, including the Chairman of Enugu State’s Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) chapter and traditional rulers, also pledged support for the recruitment drive. They urged the Army to address concerns and raise awareness to make military service more attractive to the region’s youth.
