A recent disclosure by the Nigerian Army has stirred concerns over the extremely low turnout of Igbo youths in the ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise. Only 200 youths from the entire South-East have reportedly registered, compared to over 4,000 applicants from other regions.
Brigadier-General Chima Ekeator, who leads the Army’s Recruitment Sensitisation Team in Anambra, lamented the situation, urging youths from the region to embrace the opportunity and claim their rightful quota in the national recruitment process.
However, key Igbo leaders and youth organizations have pointed to long-standing historical wounds and systemic exclusion as reasons for the trend. According to Chief Chekwas Okorie, APGA’s founding Chairman, this lack of interest dates back to the aftermath of the Nigerian-Biafran war.
He stated that since then, Igbo applicants to federal security agencies have faced discrimination, including being asked to pay unrealistic bribes or being outrightly sidelined.
“Over the years, our youths have shifted focus to alternative paths of survival, avoiding federal opportunities that seem closed off to them,” Okorie said, urging the government to actively rebuild trust and ensure equal treatment.
Former Aka Ikenga President, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, echoed these sentiments. He remarked that the military is viewed more as a threat than a protector in the South-East, adding that many youths would rather enlist in foreign armies than the Nigerian one.
“They fear the Army more than criminal elements,” he said, calling for reforms that would restore the military’s credibility.
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) added another layer to the issue. The group’s President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, cited fears of biased deployment.
According to him, Igbo soldiers are often sent to high-conflict zones like the North-East, particularly in areas plagued by Boko Haram attacks. Stories of casualties among Igbo soldiers have amplified fear among potential recruits.
Ibem also touched on intergenerational trauma, noting that many families who lived through the Biafra war passed down a deep-seated mistrust of the Nigerian military. Some even fear community backlash if they join the military, as it may be seen as betraying local causes.
“There’s a widespread feeling that joining the Nigerian Army is a risky and unrewarding path for South-East youths,” he said. “If the government is serious about inclusion, it must go beyond recruitment ads. It must invest in reconciliation, transparency, and community engagement to rebuild patriotism.”
What’s your take on this national issue? Should the government do more to bridge the trust gap? Share your thoughts below and follow NIGPOST for more updates on national recruitment and youth matters.
Leave a Reply