Nigerian Army graduates 8,000, aims to recruit 28,000

The Nigerian Army has graduated over 8,000 new soldiers and announced plans to recruit an additional 28,000 personnel as part of a major expansion to address widespread security threats. The developments were outlined during events leading up to the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

The graduation ceremony, a Passing Out Parade for recruits from the Depot Nigerian Army in Osogbo, was held on June 27. Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff, stated that the new soldiers have completed rigorous training and are joining the force at a critical time. He charged them to uphold high standards of discipline and professionalism. The recruitment is part of a federal government directive to bolster the Army's manpower, with the goal of enhancing operational effectiveness against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.

This expansion is supported by the recent establishment of a new training depot in Amasiri Edda, Ebonyi State, which brings the total number of Army training depots to three. Army officials said the new facility is designed to improve training capacity and accelerate troop development. The recruitment plan was disclosed during a media briefing on...