Shuaibu Rolls Out Bold Plan To Inject 24,000 New Soldiers Into Nigerian Army

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, has unveiled an ambitious plan to recruit and train 24,000 soldiers as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the Nigerian Army’s strength and effectiveness amid escalating security pressures across the country. According to Ireporter Online, Shuaibu announced the initiative on Wednesday during an operational visit to the 1 Division headquarters in Kaduna, where he addressed officers ranging from second lieutenants to lieutenant colonels. The engagement was part of a broader nationwide assessment tour aimed at boosting readiness in all operational theatres.

Shuaibu noted that the Army requires a substantial increase in manpower to confront the evolving and widespread nature of security threats currently facing Nigeria. He emphasised that the vastness of the Army’s area of responsibility and the complexity of emerging challenges make it necessary to deploy more troops to critical locations. He disclosed that 12,000 soldiers are expected to be trained within six months through three newly approved training institutions, adding that running two simultaneous training cycles could double the output to 24,000 personnel.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of these new facilities, which will be strategically positioned to produce troops capable of operating with modern warfare techniques, advanced weapon systems and refined tactical skills. He stressed that the initiative goes beyond numerical expansion, as the goal is to produce highly trained personnel ready for immediate deployment to conflict-prone areas.

Shuaibu explained that the recruits will undergo rigorous training that covers basic combat techniques, tactical proficiency, discipline, mission planning and leadership development to reinforce the Army’s professional standards. He encouraged senior officers to provide mentorship to the incoming soldiers, underscoring the importance of preserving discipline, ethics and operational excellence.

Reaffirming the Army’s “Soldier First” philosophy, the COAS pledged the expansion of welfare programmes, support structures and incentives for both new and serving personnel to strengthen morale and reinforce commitment to duty. He stressed that prioritising the welfare of troops is essential to ensuring they remain motivated, effective and fully prepared for mission requirements.