Hobnob News – The Nigerian Army has expressed deep concern over the persistently low enlistment rate of youths from the South East in its ongoing 2025 recruitment exercise, urging community leaders and stakeholders to mobilize eligible youths to seize the opportunity.
During an enlightenment town hall meeting in Enugu, which brought together local government chairmen, traditional rulers, town union leaders, and other key stakeholders, the Army highlighted a stark contrast in recruitment figures. Brigadier-General Chima Ekeator, who led the 2025 Army Recruitment Enlightenment Team, disclosed that while Kaduna State had received over 3,000 applications, Enugu State was lagging behind with barely 100 applicants—despite having 200 available slots. He stressed that similar patterns were being recorded across other South East states.
“Our people are missing out on opportunities that belong to them. If we continue on this trajectory, we’ll have no qualified candidates to recruit from the region,” Ekeator warned. He also dismissed claims that South East personnel are unfairly treated or disproportionately deployed to dangerous frontlines, stating that such narratives are baseless and misleading.
“There is no truth in the rumor that Igbo soldiers are always the first to be sent into battle. Many of us from the region have risen to senior positions. For instance, Chibueze Ogbuabor, one of us, currently holds a strategic role in equipment management,” he emphasized.
Echoing similar concerns, Enugu State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, noted the challenges in effectively communicating military opportunities to the younger generation. He advocated for modernized and targeted awareness campaigns to better engage potential recruits and outline the benefits of military service. He also reaffirmed Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to ensuring the state fills its allotted quota.
Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, Chairman of ALGON Enugu State, pledged stronger collaboration between local councils and the military to improve enlistment figures, while also urging the Army to address lingering concerns among the youth that may deter their interest in joining.
Supporting the call to action, Hon. Arinze Ogbodo (President of the Enugu State Town Unions), Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu (former Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council), and Lt. Col. Israel Mbah (Rtd.), traditional ruler of Nomeh Unataeze, all encouraged youths to consider the Army as a noble and honorable career path.
“I served in the military, survived several wars, and now serve my community as a traditional ruler. It’s a path worth taking,” said Lt. Col. Mbah.
The Army continues to emphasize the importance of balanced regional participation in national defense and is calling on the South East to reverse the trend through collective action and renewed interest from its youth.
