The Nigerian Army has announced a fresh recruitment expansion programme aimed at adding 28,000 new personnel to strengthen military operations across the country amid rising security challenges.
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Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, disclosed this on Monday during the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff First Bi-Annual Conference 2026 held in Abuja.
According to him, the recruitment drive is part of a wider military expansion plan designed to improve operational effectiveness, increase troop presence in volatile regions and boost rapid response to security threats nationwide.
Shuaibu revealed that the Nigerian Army has already established new brigades, battalions and operational units in several parts of the country to strengthen security operations.
He said the Army recently created the 15 Brigade and affiliated units in Anambra and Imo states, the 12 Battalion in Anyigba, the 226 Battalion in Ganye, Adamawa State, and the 247 Reconnaissance Battalion in Mubi.
The Army also established Army Headquarters Logistics Base 4 in Gusau, Army Logistics Base 5 in Ilorin and Operation Savannah Shield in the North Central region.
“The Nigerian Army has maintained an enhanced operational posture through continuous troop deployments, reconfiguration of formations and the establishment of additional Joint Task Force formations and units in critical locations,” the COAS said.
He explained that the newly established Depot Nigerian Army in Amasiri, Edda, Ebonyi State, was specifically created to support the Federal Government’s directive for the recruitment of additional soldiers under the Army expansion programme.
“Additionally, the establishment of the Depot Nigerian Army Amasiri, Edda (Ebonyi), is geared towards achieving the mandate of the Commander-in-Chief’s directive of recruiting an additional 28,000 troops under the expansion programme,” he said.
According to Shuaibu, the Army’s ongoing restructuring efforts have already improved operational reach and strengthened intelligence-led operations in several troubled regions.
“These measures have strengthened our operational reach, improved response time and facilitated effective intelligence-led operations. Consequently, we have continued to disrupt criminal networks, degrade adversary capabilities and restore relative calm in several previously volatile areas,” he added.
The recruitment expansion comes at a time Nigeria continues to battle multiple security threats, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central, as well as violent attacks linked to separatist groups in the South-East.
The COAS also highlighted the growing role of Nigerian Army Aviation in ongoing military operations, especially in difficult terrains.
He said Army aviation assets recently supported troop insertion and extraction operations in the Tumbutu Triangle in the North-East, describing it as a major operational milestone.
“It is worth noting that one of the major enablers of our recent operational success has been the growing contribution of Nigerian Army aviation assets,” he stated.
Shuaibu further reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening joint military operations, improving collaboration with other security agencies and expanding partnerships with foreign allies involved in counter-terrorism efforts.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the Armed Forces through equipment procurement, infrastructure projects and welfare improvements for military personnel.
According to the Army Chief, ongoing welfare initiatives such as improved accommodation, healthcare services and allowance reviews are expected to boost troop morale and improve combat readiness across various operations nationwide.
The Nigerian Army has intensified efforts in recent months to expand its operational footprint and improve response capabilities as security concerns continue across several parts of the country.
