In a significant move to address Nigeria's evolving security landscape, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has revealed plans for the recruitment and training of up to 24,000 new soldiers.
The initiative aims to substantially enhance the Nigerian Army's manpower and operational effectiveness in combating persistent threats such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes across various regions.
The announcement was made during Lt. Gen. Shuaibu's operational tour of the 1 Division Nigerian Army headquarters in Kaduna, where he engaged with officers from the ranks of second lieutenant to lieutenant colonel. Emphasizing the vast territorial responsibilities and dynamic nature of contemporary threats, the COAS stated that increased "boots on the ground" are essential for sustained dominance in troubled zones, particularly in the North-West, North-East, and other hotspots.
A key component of this expansion involves three newly approved training facilities, sanctioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. These centers are designed to initially process 12,000 recruits over six months through a single-stream program. By implementing dual streams, the facilities could accelerate output to reach the full target of 24,000 combat-ready soldiers in a shorter timeframe. The locations of these strategic training hubs have been selected to optimize logistical efficiency and incorporate modern infrastructure for advanced skill development.
Recruits will undergo comprehensive training regimens focusing on core competencies, including basic tactical maneuvers, urban and rural combat operations, mission planning, advanced weapon handling, discipline, and leadership principles.
This curriculum is intended to align with global best practices in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism, ensuring that new personnel are not only numerous but also highly proficient and adaptable to hybrid threats.
Lt. Gen. Shuaibu, who assumed office as the 25th Chief of Army Staff following his appointment in late October 2025, reiterated the Nigerian Army's adherence to the "Soldier First" philosophy. This policy prioritizes enhanced welfare for troops, including improved accommodation, medical services, incentives, and family support systems. He urged senior officers to actively mentor incoming recruits, fostering a culture of regimentation, ethical conduct, and unwavering commitment to national defense.
This recruitment drive comes at a critical juncture for Nigeria's security architecture. The country continues to grapple with multifaceted challenges: Boko Haram remnants and ISWAP factions in the North-East, armed banditry and farmer-herder conflicts in the North-West and North-Central zones, separatist agitations in the South-East, and oil-related militancy in the Niger Delta.
Recent data from security analyses indicate that these threats have displaced millions and strained existing military resources, underscoring the need for reinforced deployments to enable proactive operations, intelligence-led interventions, and community engagement initiatives.
Historically, the Nigerian Army has expanded during periods of heightened national security demands. From a modest force in the post-independence era, it grew rapidly during the 1967-1970 Civil War and has maintained a strength of over 200,000 active and reserve personnel in recent decades.
This new influx represents one of the largest single recruitment pushes in years, potentially increasing operational capacity by more than 10% and allowing for better rotation of fatigued units in prolonged internal security operations.
The expansion is expected to yield broader benefits, including greater coverage of vulnerable border areas, faster response times to incidents, and strengthened protection of critical national infrastructure such as pipelines, railways, and highways. Analysts suggest it could also contribute to economic stabilization in affected regions by reducing the humanitarian impact of insecurity and enabling safer agricultural and commercial activities.
While specific details on the application timeline, eligibility criteria, and portal activation for this batch are yet to be fully released, prospective candidates are advised to monitor the official Nigerian Army recruitment website (recruitment.army.mil.ng) for updates. Past intakes have required minimum educational qualifications, physical fitness standards, and Nigerian citizenship by birth.
The Nigerian Army has consistently emphasized that all recruitment processes are free, transparent, and merit-based, with warnings against fraudsters demanding payments. This initiative underscores the federal government's commitment, under President Tinubu's administration, to revitalizing the armed forces as a pillar of national stability and development.
As Nigeria navigates these complex security dynamics, the planned addition of 24,000 well-trained soldiers signals a proactive step toward restoring peace and fostering long-term resilience across the federation.