ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government has stepped up efforts to boost enlistment into the Nigerian Army, commending the military’s inclusivity policy while urging eligible youths across the state to take advantage of the ongoing recruitment exercise.
The call was reinforced during a strategic engagement in Asaba, where the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, received a Nigerian Army recruitment delegation led by Brigadier-General Moses Ikobah, amid concerns over low participation by Delta indigenes.
Dr. Emu, who lauded the Nigerian Army for ensuring equitable distribution of recruitment slots across regions, disclosed that the state government had intensified sensitisation campaigns aimed at encouraging greater youth participation.
He said the government had commenced engagements with traditional institutions, including visits to royal palaces, to mobilise grassroots support and persuade young people to seize the opportunity presented by the recruitment exercise.
According to him, local government structures and media platforms are also being fully deployed to widen awareness and ensure that eligible candidates across communities are adequately informed and mobilised.
The SSG further revealed that designated application centres have been established across all local government areas, where applicants can complete their registration free of charge, noting that the initiative was designed to remove financial barriers and increase participation.
He added that, in some cases, transportation support was being arranged for prospective applicants to ease logistical challenges and encourage turnout.
Expressing optimism, Dr. Emu said the state was determined to fully utilise the 400 recruitment slots allocated to Delta State, stressing that lessons from previous exercises were being applied to improve current outcomes.
“This is not the first time we are conducting an exercise of this nature. Past experiences are guiding current strategies,” he said.
Earlier, the leader of the visiting delegation, Brigadier-General Moses Ikobah, said the team was in the state to strengthen awareness on the ongoing recruitment exercise, expressing concern over the low turnout of Delta youths despite the availability of slots.
He urged the state government to further intensify its mobilisation efforts ahead of the May 17, 2026 deadline, noting that the recruitment, which commenced on March 30, is part of the Nigerian Army’s 91 Regular Recruit Intake aimed at enlisting about 14,000 personnel nationwide.
“This figure translates to approximately 350 to 400 recruits per state, including the Federal Capital Territory. However, current figures indicate a worrying trend for Delta State.
“While national applications stood at about 38,000 as of April 7, Delta recorded only a few hundred applicants—far below expectations and significantly lower than previous years when nationwide applications exceeded 100,000,” he said.
Ikobah warned that continued low participation could cost the state its fair share of recruitment slots, thereby limiting its representation within the Nigerian Army.
He reiterated that the Army remains committed to inclusiveness, national unity and equitable representation, urging Delta State to take proactive steps to encourage its youths to enlist.
“Beyond representation, increased enlistment is also a pathway to youth empowerment. Greater participation will not only improve employment opportunities for young people but also help reduce social vulnerability and strengthen the state’s contribution to national security,” he added.
