The Nigerian Army’s repeated concerns over the low enlistment of youths from the South-East have triggered fresh debate over why many young people in the region are reluctant to join the military.
Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu recently appealed to parents, traditional rulers, and community leaders in the region to encourage eligible youths to enlist, saying recruitment quotas allocated to the South-East had remained largely unfilled for years.
Shaibu spoke during the passing-out parade of the 90 Regular Recruits Intake at the Nigerian Army Recruit Training Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State. The ceremony marked the graduation of 2,989 recruits from the newly established depot, the first Army training facility in the South-East.
The concern is not new. In April 2026, Brig.-Gen. Uche Nnabuihe disclosed that only 117 applications had come from Anambra out of 38,000 applications received nationwide as of April 7. A similar concern was raised in 2025 when the Army said Enugu had received only about 100 applications for roughly 200 available slots.
Why are youths reluctant?
Several young people from the region who spoke on the issue cited insecurity, concerns about soldiers’ welfare, distrust of the military, and perceived discrimination as reasons for their reluctance.
Some said they were unwilling to risk their lives in military operations they believe are inadequately supported, while others questioned whether soldiers receive sufficient pay, housing, healthcare, and insurance.
Others pointed to concerns over perceived political interference and unequal opportunities within national institutions.
A graduate from Enugu State, Ifeanyi Nwankwo, said the issue was largely about trust.
“You cannot tell young people to join an organization when they believe that opportunities and promotions are not always based on merit,” he said, arguing that the government must rebuild confidence in the institution.
For Chukwuebuka Eze, an undergraduate from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, the Army itself is not the problem. He said he wants to join but faces opposition from his parents because of the dangers associated with military service.
“I actually want to join the Army. I have always admired the military. But my parents are against it because of insecurity,” he said.
Another youth, Uche Madu, said poor welfare was a major concern.
“If the salary, insurance, housing, healthcare, and welfare are attractive, you will see more young people applying,” he said.
However, not all youths in the region are opposed to military service. Kelechi Ugwu, an undergraduate from Enugu State, said he applied for Army recruitment because he wanted to serve the country.
“I think it is wrong to say South-East youths have given up on Nigeria,” he said, while calling for better conditions of service and greater transparency in recruitment.
Calls for reform
Former Abia State governor and senator Orji Uzor Kalu recently said the reluctance extends beyond the Army, claiming that many people in his area also turn down recruitment opportunities in the Police and Air Force.
Human rights lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, however, attributed the reluctance to deep-seated distrust of the military. He argued that historical grievances and perceptions of marginalization have affected how some youths in the region view the armed forces.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government and Army have intensified efforts to change perceptions and attract more South-East youths. A sensitization campaign launched in Abia in March focused on correcting misconceptions about military service and highlighting career, training, and welfare opportunities available to recruits.
The debate therefore goes beyond patriotism. While the Army wants the South-East to fill its recruitment quotas, many youths say the government must first address concerns over security, welfare, fairness, and trust.
For the Army, increasing enlistment may require more than recruitment campaigns—it may require rebuilding confidence among the very youths it wants to serve.
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