The Nigerian Army has announced plans to recruit and train an additional 28,000 soldiers as it intensifies efforts to strengthen its manpower and improve operations against insecurity across the country.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, disclosed the development on Friday during a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj. Gen. Bamidele Alabi, the Army chief said the expansion became possible following the establishment of a new training depot at Amasiri Edda, bringing the number of Army recruit training institutions to three.
“Manpower is as important as the equipment required to fight insecurity. 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, thereby enhancing our manpower.
“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,” he said.
Shaibu also revealed that the Army had established more brigades and operational units while reviewing its force structure to address deployment gaps and improve responses to evolving security threats.
“Accordingly, the Nigerian Army has established additional brigades and units to boost our operations, while continuously reviewing our force structure to cover observed gaps in our deployments to address emerging security challenges across the country,” he stated.
He noted that the Army had continued to improve its operational capabilities through the acquisition of modern military platforms, combat enablers and strategic partnerships. According to him, measures had also been introduced to reward gallantry, improve personnel welfare and upgrade infrastructure across military formations nationwide.
Reflecting on his seven months in office, the Army chief said significant progress had been made in operations, infrastructure development, manpower expansion, professionalism and civil military relations.
He explained that his command philosophy is focused on building “a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.”
According to him, the vision is driven by a “Soldier-First” culture that prioritises the welfare of personnel and their families as a foundation for operational success.
“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 added.
Shaibu said troops remained actively engaged in various theatres of operation nationwide and had continued to weaken Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, separatist groups and other criminal elements.
He assured Nigerians that the Army would continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities while adhering to the rules of engagement and respecting human rights.
The Army chief also announced the commencement of activities for the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, themed, “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army.”
He called on Nigerians to continue supporting the military in tackling insecurity.
“I urge all Nigerians to continue to support the Nigerian Army. This Army belongs to you, it is your Army. Let us all demonstrate patriotism and commitment to the ideals of peace and unity for national development,” he said.
Shaibu said the celebration would begin with Juma’at prayers on June 26 across Army formations nationwide, followed by interdenominational church services on June 28.
He added that public lectures would be held in secondary schools on July 3 to educate students on the role of the Nigerian Army, while Port Harcourt would host the NADCEL Lecture, the Chief of Army Staff Literary Competition awards, media engagement and the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association charity outreach on July 4.
A free medical outreach and the commissioning of civil military cooperation projects will take place on July 5, while the week long celebration will conclude on July 6 with a ceremonial parade, presentation of the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Awards, military equipment displays and a research and development exhibition.
The grand finale will also coincide with the African Land Forces Forum 2026, themed, “Securing Africa: Advanced Defense, United Efforts.”
According to the Army chief, the forum will bring together African army chiefs, senior military officers, policymakers, defence industry stakeholders and security experts to strengthen regional cooperation and promote dialogue on security challenges facing the continent.
