The Army’s Reaction to  Low Enrollment of S.E. Youths in Recruitment

By Abraham Amah

The Nigerian Army’s recent reaction to the low turnout of youths from the South East in its recruitment exercise is both noteworthy and commendable. It demonstrates a rare but welcome level of concern from a national institution regarding the inclusion of all parts of the country in strategic national service. This action, on the surface, shows that the military is attentive to the need for national cohesion and security—one that is inclusive of all regions, including the long-marginalized South East.

Their concern suggests that the Nigerian military is not only focused on operational effectiveness but also on the sociopolitical dynamics that influence enlistment and patriotism. This is a noble development. However, as commendable as this action may be, it opens up a broader conversation that Nigeria must engage in if we are to truly build a nation united not just in theory but in practice.

Could the action—or inaction—of Igbo youths in this context be interpreted as a form of silent protest? Could it be a deeply rooted response to years of exclusion, discrimination, and systemic marginalization in national recruitment exercises and federal appointments? The military high command may not be in a position to provide full answers to these questions, but as a key stakeholder in national security, it has a moral obligation to initiate an honest inquiry into the underlying issues.

The consistent underrepresentation of South East youths in key national institutions has bred widespread resentment and disillusionment. It must be understood that patriotism cannot be demanded in an environment where trust has been eroded. When young people from the South East observe their peers from other regions gaining employment, securing appointments, and being celebrated in public service—while they remain sidelined—it is only natural that they begin to question the value of their loyalty to the Nigerian state.

Recently, the Presidency released data outlining the distribution of political appointments across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This may have been an effort by the Tinubu-led administration to demonstrate fairness and inclusiveness in political representation. While this move may have brought some clarity in the political domain, it raises further questions about how appointments and recruitments are handled within the civil service and other government agencies, which are often less transparent.

We must ask: What has been the employment pattern in key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over the last decade? Institutions such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) all wield significant national influence. Yet, there is growing evidence to suggest that the South East is consistently underrepresented in their recruitment exercises.

The most recent FIRS recruitment exercise is a pertinent example. How many Nigerian youths have been shortlisted? More importantly, how many of them are from the South East? If transparency and equity are to be the bedrock of national governance, then these are legitimate questions that deserve honest answers. If the military can be bold enough to speak out about a regional disparity in its recruitment, why are other government agencies silent?

This silence is not neutral—it is dangerous. It creates a vacuum where frustration and alienation can thrive. It fosters a sense of exclusion among young people, who begin to feel like outsiders in their own country. These young Nigerians are observant. They are informed. Their reluctance to participate in national recruitment may well be a reflection of a deeper loss of faith in the fairness of the Nigerian system.

It is easy to dismiss this as apathy. But it is far more important—and honest—to ask what has caused such apathy. Could it be that these young people no longer believe that the system will ever treat them fairly? Could their non-participation in military recruitment be a form of peaceful protest against a country that appears not to recognize their value?

If the Nigerian Army is truly committed to understanding the root cause of this issue, it must go beyond issuing public statements. It must become a leading voice in advocating for a national conversation on inclusion and equitable representation. It should champion the publication of employment and recruitment data across all federal MDAs over the last decade, categorized by geopolitical zone. Only then can we begin to address the foundational challenges undermining national unity.

The Presidency, too, must go beyond gestures of inclusion. It should commission an independent, comprehensive audit of employment and recruitment across all federal agencies. If we can publicly share data on political appointments, we must also make transparent the figures related to civil service employment, agency recruitment, and scholarship distributions. Transparency is the cornerstone of justice—and justice is the foundation upon which true unity is built.

We cannot continue to build a nation on selective inclusion and systematic exclusion. Every region must be given a fair opportunity to contribute to, and benefit from, national service, public employment, and federal appointments. This is not just a political requirement—it is a moral imperative. A country that hopes to endure must treat all its citizens with equal dignity and opportunity.

The Nigerian Army has taken a noble first step by acknowledging the low participation of South East youths. That gesture must not end as a media headline. It should serve as a catalyst for national awakening—a call to action to recognize and address the deep structural imbalances threatening the soul of this country.

Nigeria needs healing—urgent and intentional healing. That healing must begin with justice and fairness. It must begin with the recognition that no region or people within Nigeria are inferior or less deserving. Leaders at every level must now rise—not just to correct the imbalance but to restore faith in the Nigerian dream.

Let us move beyond politics and sentiment, and boldly do what is right—for the sake of posterity, peace, and the unity of our great nation.

Elder Amah, PDP Chairman, Abia State*is a frequent commentator on current issues and an  Advocate for Justice & Unity