Army Expands Ranks, Set to Recruit 28,000 Nationwide

The Nigerian Army has announced plans to recruit no fewer than 28,000 additional soldiers following the establishment of a new training depot in Amasiri-Edda, covering Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Friday during a media briefing in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Major General Bamidele Alabi, Lt. Gen. Shaibu said the Army is expanding its recruitment capacity and strengthening its manpower to tackle the country’s growing security challenges.
He noted that this year’s Army Day celebration is themed “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army,” stressing that it focuses on national security, civil-military cooperation, technological advancement, and regional defence collaboration.
According to him, the Army has continued implementing reforms through the establishment of additional brigades and units, the induction of modern combat equipment, stronger strategic partnerships, improved infrastructure nationwide, and enhanced troop welfare under its “Soldier First” policy.
He added that the Army remains actively engaged in addressing major security threats, including insurgency by Boko Haram, kidnapping, banditry, separatist activities, and other non-state actors threatening national stability.
Providing details of the week-long celebration, he said activities began on Friday, June 26, with Juma’at prayers across Army formations nationwide. Public speaking programmes in secondary schools across the country will hold on July 3.
According to him, July 4 will feature the Army Day Celebration Lecture, an award ceremony, media interaction, and a charity outreach organised by the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) in Port Harcourt.
He added that free medical outreach programmes and the commissioning of Civil-Military Cooperation projects in communities in Port Harcourt are scheduled for July 5.
The celebration will conclude on July 6 with a grand military parade, equipment display, research and development exhibition, and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Awards.
A major highlight of this year’s event, he said, is the African Land Forces Forum 2026, themed “Securing Africa: Advanced Defence, United Efforts.” The forum will bring together African army chiefs, senior military officers, policymakers, defence industry stakeholders, and security experts to strengthen collaboration and discuss emerging defence innovations.
An international defence exhibition will also showcase advanced military technologies and combat platforms for possible procurement by participating countries.
The Nigerian Army further appealed to the media to report responsibly, promote national unity, and support ongoing security operations, reaffirming that the institution belongs to all Nigerians.