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Nigerian Army to Recruit 28,000 New Troops as Tinubu Orders Major Security Expansion

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Promise Odejide

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The Nigerian Army has announced plans to recruit and train an additional 28,000 troops as part of a wide-ranging expansion aimed at strengthening national security amid rising threats across the country.

The announcement was made by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, during the opening of the First Bi-Annual Conference 2026 in Abuja, where he outlined new strategies to boost military manpower and operational capacity.

Mass Recruitment Drive Announced

According to the Army leadership, the recruitment is part of directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address manpower gaps within the armed forces.

The move is expected to significantly boost “boots on the ground” across various theatres of operation, including insurgency-hit regions in the North-East and banditry-prone North-West.

The Army said the new personnel will be trained to support intelligence-led operations and rapid response missions across the country.

New Military Formations Across States

Alongside the recruitment plan, the Nigerian Army has established several new formations to strengthen security coverage nationwide.

These include the 15 Brigade in parts of the South-East, new battalions in Kogi and Adamawa States, as well as logistics bases in Ilorin, Kwara State and Gusau, Zamfara State.

A new training depot has also been set up in Amasiri, Ebonyi State, which will serve as a key centre for training the incoming recruits.

Security Strategy and Government Push

Military authorities say the expansion is aimed at improving coordination, enhancing intelligence gathering, and increasing response speed to emerging threats across different regions.

Lt. Gen. Shuaibu commended President Tinubu for continued support in equipment procurement, welfare improvements, and infrastructure upgrades within the Army.

He also noted that the restructuring has already contributed to improved operational outcomes in some volatile areas.

Concerns Over Implementation

While the development has been welcomed by some security analysts and stakeholders, concerns remain over training capacity, troop welfare, and the challenges of integrating such a large number of recruits within a short timeframe.

There are also ongoing discussions around casualties and long-term sustainability of military operations amid widespread insecurity.

Further details on recruitment requirements, timelines, and application processes are expected to be released by the Nigerian Army in the coming weeks.

 

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