The Nigerian Army has bolstered its ranks with the graduation of 3,439 recruits from the 89 Regular Recruit Intake, following an intensive six-month training programme at the Depot in Zaria, Kaduna State. The new soldiers were formally passed out during a parade on Friday and are now primed for deployment across the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Army spokesperson Colonel Appolonia Anele, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu commended the recruits for their dedication.
“Your successful training reflects hard work, dedication, and discipline. You have been moulded to meet the highest standards of soldiering and are now entrusted with the sacred duty of safeguarding the territorial integrity of our nation,” he said. “I have no doubt that you will rise to the challenges ahead and serve with honour, courage, and professionalism.”
Shaibu highlighted the strategic timing of their induction amid evolving security threats.
“The Nigerian Army continues to confront emerging domestic and transnational security threats. Your induction today is not only a boost to our manpower but a reinforcement of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of every Nigerian. You are now part of a professional, combat-ready force capable of decisively responding to any threat to our nation.”
The graduation follows a similar ceremony in June 2025 for 6,195 soldiers of the 88 Regular Recruit Intake, reflecting sustained efforts to expand manpower. These additions align with broader recruitment drives, including President Bola Tinubu’s approval in October 2025 of 94,000 new enlistments across security agencies to address persistent challenges like insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.
The Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria, established as the primary training centre for recruits, emphasises physical fitness, weapons handling, tactics, and discipline. Graduates undergo further specialised training before operational postings.
With Nigeria facing multifaceted threats over 2,500 kidnapping incidents reported in the first nine months of 2025 per security trackers the influx of trained personnel aims to enhance response capacity in hotspots across the North-West, North-East, and South-East.
Shaibu urged the new soldiers to embody loyalty and professionalism, reinforcing the Army’s role in national stability.