The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, has announced plans to recruit and train 24,000 soldiers as part of efforts to strengthen the operational capability of the Nigerian Army across the nation.
Lt Gen. Shaibu made the announcement on Wednesday during his operational visit to the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna, where he addressed officers, from second lieutenants to captains and lutenant Colonels.
The recruitment drive forms part of the Army’s strategy to address evolving security challenges and enhance the readiness of troops deployed across the country.
“The area of responsibility is vast and security challenges are dynamic. To meet these threats effectively, we need boots on the ground. In six months, we aim to train 12,000 soldiers from three new training facilities. If we operate two streams, we can produce up to 24,000 soldiers ready for deployment,” he said.
Lt Gen. Shaibu explained that the new training facilities, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are strategically located to produce soldiers who are highly trained in modern warfare, tactical operations, and weapon handling. The aim is to ensure that recruits are operationally ready to face security threats immediately upon completion of their training.
