Army Opens Third Training Depot in Ebonyi to Boost Youth Enlistment
The Nigerian Army has commenced the construction of an additional training depot in Ebonyi State as part of efforts to expand its training capacity and boost youth enlistment, particularly from the South-East region.
The new facility, located at Amasiri-Edda in Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas, was approved by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in line with plans to strengthen the country’s national security architecture.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Tuesday, was performed by the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, who expressed gratitude to the President and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen W. Shaibu, for approving the establishment of the depot in the state.
Nwifuru said the training facility would provide greater opportunities for youths in Ebonyi and the wider South-East to enlist in the Nigerian Army, noting that the region had been underrepresented in military recruitment over the years. He added that the Army’s presence would also contribute to peace, security, and socio-economic development in the host communities.
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Representing the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Maj Gen Oluremi Fadairo, said the establishment of the depot was in line with the Federal Government’s vision of equitable distribution of military infrastructure across the country.
Fadairo urged youths in the South-East to take advantage of the opportunity by actively filling their recruitment quotas, stressing that all states of the federation have equal chances in the Army’s enlistment process. He noted that closer collaboration between the military and host communities was critical to addressing contemporary security challenges.
He added that the Amasiri-Edda training depot would serve as a catalyst for stability, development, and improved civil-military relations in the region.
As part of the ceremony, Governor Nwifuru formally handed over land documents for the project to the Nigerian Army. The documents were received on behalf of the COAS by the Chief of Training (Army), Maj Gen V. U. Okoro, followed by the symbolic laying of foundation blocks.
With the establishment of the Ebonyi facility, the Nigerian Army now has three training depots nationwide. These include the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, established in 1924; the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, established in 2025; and the newly approved Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State.
The Army said the expansion underscores its commitment to meeting manpower needs and responding effectively to evolving security threats across the country.
By PRNigeria
