The persistent reluctance of youths from Nigeria’s South-East to enlist in the Armed Forces has continued to raise concern among military authorities and community leaders, despite sustained efforts to reverse the trend.
The issue, which has lingered for years, once prompted the military to convene a high-level stakeholder engagement in Enugu, bringing together representatives from across the region to identify the causes of the declining enlistment and chart a way forward.
Although interventions involving the military, state governments, traditional rulers and political leaders have followed, stakeholders say the challenge remains unresolved as insecurity continues to threaten the country.
The concern resurfaced recently when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, lamented the persistently low enlistment of South-East youths into the Nigerian Army.
Speaking at the passing-out parade of 90 recruits of the Army’s 99 Regular Recruit Intake at the Amasiri-Edda Army Recruit Training Depot in Ebonyi State, Shaibu described the situation as unacceptable, noting that the recruitment quota allocated to the region had remained largely unfilled for several years.
The recruits are the first to complete training at the depot since its establishment in November 2025.
The Army chief appealed to traditional rulers, parents, community leaders, opinion molders and other stakeholders to encourage qualified youths to embrace military service, describing it as a noble career built on patriotism, leadership and national service.
“Ndigbo, I humbly appeal to you to encourage your youths to take their rightful place in the defense of our fatherland.
“For some time now, the recruitment quota allocated to this zone has not been fully utilized. This should not continue.
“I urge community leaders, parents, guardians and elders across the South-East to encourage our young men and women to regard this depot as their own and step forward to serve the nation,” Shaibu said.
He added that the establishment of the Army Recruit Training Depot in Ebonyi underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to national integration, inclusiveness and balanced development.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu, described the low enlistment rate as unfortunate, stressing the need to reorient youths toward patriotism and national unity.
“We have to sensitize our youths on national integration and citizenship. We have no other country except Nigeria,” he said.
Asadu noted that traditional rulers had consistently encouraged young people to support government initiatives but urged the military to improve the welfare and conditions of service for personnel, saying many youths had lost confidence in the system.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) in Enugu State, Mr. Jerry Enoja, described the situation as an abnormality, reminding South-East youths that the Constitution guarantees every Nigerian equal access to national institutions, including the military.
“It is the constitutional right of South-East youths to enlist in the Army, Police and other paramilitary agencies,” he said.
Enoja, however, acknowledged widespread concerns over poor remuneration and welfare of soldiers, adding that persistent rumors of discrimination against South-East personnel had discouraged many prospective recruits.
“Though I am not a soldier, I believe many of these unverified claims have instilled fear in our youths,” he said.
A retired senior military officer, Lt.-Col. Chizoba Ugwu, dismissed allegations of marginalization within the Armed Forces, urging Igbo youths not to be misled by misinformation.
“Igbo youths should ignore those false narratives. Join the Army, serve your country and help defend the nation,” he said.
On her part, a community leader in Enugu, Mrs. Adaeze Obeagu, said many parents, particularly mothers, were unwilling to allow their children enlist because of fears they could be deployed to conflict zones.
“Many Igbo women fear losing their sons and daughters in battle. No mother wants to lose her child,” she said.
Stakeholders agree that reversing the trend will require sustained engagement by military authorities, traditional rulers, community leaders and youth organizations to address misconceptions, improve confidence in the military, and reassure young people that recruitment, deployment and career progression are guided by fairness and professionalism.
