The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has unveiled plans to recruit and train 24,000 soldiers as part of a renewed effort to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity amid rising security challenges across the country.
The Army chief made the announcement on Wednesday during an operational visit to the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna, where he addressed officers ranging from second lieutenants to captains and lieutenant colonels.
According to him, the recruitment drive is designed to boost manpower, enhance troop readiness, and improve the Army’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging threats nationwide.
“The area of responsibility is vast and security challenges are dynamic. To meet these threats effectively, we need boots on the ground. In six months, we aim to train 12,000 soldiers from three new training facilities. If we operate two streams, we can produce up to 24,000 soldiers ready for deployment,” he said.
Lt. Gen. Shaibu disclosed that the training centres—approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—are strategically located to groom soldiers with modern warfare skills, tactical competence, and advanced weapon handling. The goal, he noted, is to produce recruits who are mission-ready immediately after completing their training.
He stressed that the initiative was not merely about increasing troop numbers but also ensuring high professional standards and operational effectiveness.
“This is a desperate time for our nation. The soldiers we train must be ready to tackle the multifaceted security challenges we face. We are committed to ensuring they are properly equipped, trained, and led,” he added.
The Army chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the “Soldier First” philosophy, promising improved welfare packages, enhanced support systems, and better working conditions for both new and serving personnel.
He urged senior officers to mentor the incoming recruits and uphold the service’s core values, discipline, and tradition of excellence.
The large-scale recruitment is expected to significantly boost troop presence in key operational areas, strengthen rapid-response capabilities, and improve the protection of civilians and national assets.
Lt. Gen. Shaibu’s visit to 1 Division also featured discussions on operational logistics, welfare initiatives, and ongoing efforts to reinforce the Army’s ability to counter security threats across the North West and other theatres of operation.
