June 26, 2026 l By Kimberly White
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigerian Army has announced plans to recruit and train an additional 28,000 soldiers as part of a sweeping effort to strengthen its operational capacity and intensify the fight against insecurity across the country.
The announcement was made on Friday by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, during a press conference held in Abuja ahead of the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL 2026). Speaking through the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Bamidele Alabi, the Army Chief said the expansion forms part of a broader strategy to improve the military's ability to respond to evolving security threats nationwide.
According to Shaibu, the Nigerian Army has already expanded its recruitment infrastructure by establishing a third recruit training depot at Amasiri Edda, a move expected to significantly increase the military's training capacity.
"Manpower is as important as the equipment required to fight insecurity," Shaibu said. "To this end, we have expanded our recruitment scope by establishing another training depot at Amasiri Edda, making it the third institution to train able-bodied civilians for the Nigerian Army. With this action, the Nigerian Army is expected to recruit and train an additional 28,000 troops to help stem the tide of insecurity across the country."
The Army Chief explained that the recruitment drive is part of a comprehensive modernization programme aimed at improving force readiness, expanding operational deployments, and enhancing the military's ability to tackle multiple security challenges simultaneously. He noted that the Army has continued to establish additional brigades and units while reviewing its force structure to address operational gaps across various theatres of conflict.
Beyond increasing troop strength, Shaibu said the Nigerian Army is investing heavily in modern combat platforms, surveillance technologies, and other force multipliers to improve operational effectiveness. He added that new deployment strategies and stronger partnerships with other security agencies are also being implemented to counter terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of violent crime.
"We are also improving our deployment strategies and employing modern technology as a force multiplier in our efforts to quickly degrade all forms of criminality across the country," he said.
The Army Chief stressed that all military operations would continue to be conducted in accordance with Nigeria's Constitution, the rules of engagement, and international humanitarian law. He reaffirmed the military's commitment to protecting civilians while denying criminal and insurgent groups the freedom to operate.
Shaibu also highlighted improvements made since assuming office seven months ago, citing progress in operational effectiveness, personnel development, infrastructure expansion, professionalism, and civil-military relations. He said his leadership philosophy is anchored on transforming the Nigerian Army into "a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient force" capable of responding to Nigeria's increasingly complex security environment.
A central component of that vision, he said, is the implementation of a "Soldier-First" policy that prioritizes the welfare of officers, soldiers, and their families. According to the Army Chief, improving personnel welfare is essential to maintaining morale and achieving operational success in the field. The military has also expanded programmes recognizing gallantry, honoring fallen personnel, and upgrading infrastructure across formations nationwide.
Nigeria continues to face persistent security threats across several regions, including the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgencies in the northeast, armed banditry in the northwest, farmer-herder conflicts in the Middle Belt, separatist violence in the southeast, and widespread kidnapping for ransom in various parts of the country.
Security analysts say the planned recruitment could provide much-needed reinforcement for overstretched troops deployed across multiple conflict zones. However, they note that long-term success will depend not only on increasing troop numbers but also on sustained investments in intelligence gathering, logistics, equipment, training, and inter-agency coordination.
The 28,000-person recruitment initiative represents one of the largest manpower expansion efforts undertaken by the Nigerian Army in recent years and reflects the Federal Government's continued determination to strengthen the country's security architecture amid ongoing threats to national stability.