The 2025 Nigerian Army recruitment exercise has seen a low turnout from the Southeast, with only about 200 youths applying—far fewer than the 4,000-plus applicants recorded in other regions.
A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ichie Damian Okeke Ogene, attributed the poor participation to years of neglect and exclusion. He said the Nigerian government has consistently sidelined the Southeast in military and political appointments, leaving young people feeling alienated.
“Our youths haven’t lost their sense of duty,” Ogene said. “They’ve lost faith in a country that keeps pushing them aside.”
He noted that this disillusionment stems from a lack of fairness and representation in national affairs. As a result, many Southeast youths no longer feel inspired to serve in the military.
Army authorities have raised concerns about the region’s ability to meet its recruitment quota. They fear that inadequate representation from the Southeast could weaken national cohesion and inclusiveness within the armed forces.
Ogene urged the federal government to reverse the trend by rebuilding trust. “If the system becomes fair and inclusive, Southeast youths will return with a renewed willingness to serve,” he said.