Low Turnout: Only 200 South-East Youths Register for Nigerian Army Recruitment

Also lending his voice, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, stressed that the Nigerian Army recruitment targets young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 22. He urged eligible youths to take advantage of the opportunity to serve the nation and secure meaningful careers.

Awka, Nigeria – The ongoing Nigerian Army recruitment exercise has witnessed an alarmingly low turnout from the South-East region, with only 200 youths reportedly registered so far.

This was disclosed by the head of the Army Force Headquarters Recruitment Sensitisation Team in Anambra State, Brigadier General Chima Ekeator, during an engagement session with community leaders and youth representatives. He described the current participation level as worrisome and urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to reverse the trend.

Ekeator revealed that other regions of the country have recorded over 4,000 applicants, highlighting a stark disparity in participation. He emphasised the importance of increased enrolment to ensure the South-East fully benefits from its quota in the national military structure.

“We need youth leaders and community heads to go back and encourage their young people to embrace this opportunity,” he appealed.

In response, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Aghambah, pledged the state government’s continued support for the sensitisation campaign. He called on traditional rulers and community leaders to mobilise at least 10 youths each to register for the recruitment.

Also lending his voice, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, stressed that the Nigerian Army recruitment targets young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 22. He urged eligible youths to take advantage of the opportunity to serve the nation and secure meaningful careers.

The sensitisation forum brought together President-Generals of town unions and youth leaders, as the Army continues its drive to ensure national inclusion and adequate representation from all geopolitical zones.