Army To Recruit 24,000 Soldiers – COAS Shaibu Announces

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has announced plans to recruit and train 24,000 fresh soldiers as part of a renewed effort to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity in the face of rising security challenges across the country.

The development became public on Wednesday after counter-insurgency analyst, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the details in a post on X. Shaibu reportedly revealed the plan during an operational visit to the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna, where he addressed officers ranging from Second Lieutenants to Lieutenant Colonels.

According to the report, the Army Chief explained that the massive recruitment drive forms part of a broader strategy to improve readiness and increase manpower for deployment across several theatres of operation. He disclosed that three new training facilities approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will train an initial 12,000 soldiers within six months, adding that the number could rise to 24,000 if the centres run two streams simultaneously.

Shaibu stated that the new facilities were strategically located to produce recruits equipped with modern warfare skills, tactical competence and an improved understanding of weapon systems. He stressed that the focus was not merely on increasing the numerical strength of the Army but ensuring that the training process produces well-rounded soldiers capable of meeting contemporary operational demands.

The Army Chief noted that the incoming recruits would undergo intensive training in basic tactics and combat operations. He added that their training would also incorporate leadership, discipline and professional development to strengthen the Army’s long-term operational standards. He emphasised that producing highly capable and disciplined soldiers remained central to the Army’s transformation agenda.

Shaibu used the occasion to reiterate the Army’s commitment to its “Soldier First” philosophy, which places troop welfare at the centre of operational effectiveness. He promised continuous improvements in welfare, accommodation, logistics and support systems for both new and existing personnel.

He also appealed to senior officers to mentor the incoming recruits, saying such mentorship was crucial to sustaining discipline, professionalism and the core values of the Nigerian Army.

During his visit to 1 Division, Shaibu also held operational meetings with senior officers, focusing on logistics, welfare measures, equipment upgrades and ongoing efforts to improve the Army’s capabilities in the North West and other theatres of operation.

His visit formed part of a broader assessment tour aimed at strengthening operational readiness nationwide.