By Loveth Temiloluwa Victor
The Nigerian Army has announced plans to recruit an additional 28,000 troops as part of initiatives to strengthen its manpower and reinforce ongoing operations against insecurity across the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj. Gen. Bamidele Alabi, Shaibu said the recruitment drive follows the establishment of a new training depot in Amasiri, Edda, which has become the third institution dedicated to training recruits for the Nigerian Army.
He said manpower is as important as equipment, noting that the Army had expanded its recruitment capacity by establishing another training depot in Amasiri, Edda, making it the third institution responsible for training physically fit civilians for military service.
He added that, with the new recruitment initiative, the Nigerian Army is expected to recruit and train an additional 28,000 troops to help tackle insecurity across the country.
The Army chief further said the service had established additional brigades and units while reviewing its force structure to address deployment gaps and respond more effectively to emerging security threats.
According to him, the military has also institutionalised measures to recognise gallantry, improve personnel welfare, and undertake extensive infrastructure upgrades across formations nationwide.
