By Njoku Chijioke
The Nigerian Army has expressed deep concern over the dwindling number of applicants from the South East in its ongoing 2025 recruitment exercise, urging youths from the region to embrace military service as a patriotic duty.
During a briefing, Army officials revealed a sharp contrast in participation across the country. While states like Kaduna have already recorded over three thousand applications, states in the South East, including Enugu, continue to lag far behind.
The Army described the situation as worrisome and stressed that national defence requires the collective effort of all regions.
They called on community leaders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders in the South East to encourage young men and women to pursue careers in the military.
“This is a call to service,” an Army representative stated. “The military is an honourable profession and an opportunity to serve the nation with pride. We want to see more youths from every corner of Nigeria step forward.”
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to fairness and inclusivity in the recruitment process, assuring that all qualified candidates will be given equal opportunities, regardless of their state of origin.
As the recruitment drive continues, expectations remain high that the South East will respond positively to the call, closing the gap and ensuring balanced representation in the nation’s armed forces.
