The Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, on Saturday passed out a total of 3,439 newly enlisted recruits of the Nigerian Army, as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, charged them to uphold professionalism, discipline, and the core values of the service at the start of their military careers.
Speaking at the passing-out parade of the Regular Recruits Intake, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the event as a major milestone in the Nigerian Army’s strategic drive to expand its manpower and strengthen national security.
“It is indeed gratifying to note that the Nigerian Army’s strategic goal of expanding its manpower has been given a significant boost with this passing-out parade. For these young Nigerians, today marks the beginning of a journey of sacrifice, patriotism, and commitment to the service of our nation,” he said.
The COAS urged the recruits to take pride in joining the Army at a critical period in Nigeria’s history, marked by security challenges such as terrorism, insurgency, and other threats to national stability. He reminded them that they are now stakeholders in the task of defending the country and charged them to exhibit warrior ethos, diligence, discipline, and professionalism as they integrate into various formations and units.
Shaibu assured the recruits that their welfare and wellbeing remain a priority, with measures in place to support them during and after their service. He also highlighted ongoing reforms in Army training across the depots, noting that curricula have been streamlined to emphasize marksmanship, fieldcraft, and mission-oriented skills aimed at producing combat-ready and lethal soldiers. According to him, recruits will continue to receive specialist training to sustain operational readiness throughout their careers.
In a major policy announcement, the COAS disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new Depot Nigerian Army in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The new depot will further decentralize soldiers’ training, expand the Army’s training capacity, and ensure a steady supply of well-trained personnel for deployment nationwide.
With the approval, Nigeria will now operate three Army recruit training depots: the historic Depot Nigerian Army Zaria in Kaduna State, established in 1924 by the British colonial government as a training base under the West African Frontier Force; the Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo in Osun State, established in August 2025 by President Tinubu; and the newly approved Depot Abakaliki.
Lieutenant General Shaibu explained that the Abakaliki depot will complement existing facilities and align with the Nigerian Army’s strategic plan to enhance national security and operational effectiveness. The facility is expected to provide specialist, mission-oriented training with a strong focus on marksmanship, fieldcraft, and overall operational readiness, while incorporating measures to safeguard the welfare of recruits.
He also announced that other depots, including Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, will soon conduct similar passing-out parades, in line with the Army’s manpower expansion efforts.
“Our command philosophy is to transform the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment,” the COAS said.
Shaibu commended the commandants, staff, and instructors of Depot Zaria for producing a steady stream of well-trained soldiers, and expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, and the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, for their continued support to the Nigerian Army.
He concluded by congratulating the families of the recruits for supporting their decision to serve the nation and urged the soldiers to act with courage, hope, and determination.
The parade, which featured full military drills, inspection, and the symbolic presentation of Nigerian Army insignia, underscored the Army’s commitment to producing disciplined, professional, and combat-ready personnel capable of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
