The Nigerian Army has announced plans to recruit and train an additional 28,000 personnel as part of efforts to strengthen ongoing operations against insecurity across the country.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Friday during a press conference to herald the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), themed “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army.”

Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi, the COAS said the Army has also established additional brigades and units while reviewing its force structure to address operational gaps and respond to emerging security threats nationwide.

According to Shaibu, the recruitment drive forms part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing the Army’s operational effectiveness.

“The Nigerian Army will recruit and train an additional 28,000 troops to help stem the tide of insecurity across the country. We have also established additional brigades and units and are continuously reviewing our force structure to address observed gaps in deployments and emerging security challenges,” he said.

He added that the Army is strengthening its operational capability through the acquisition of modern combat platforms, force multipliers and strategic partnerships, alongside extensive infrastructure upgrades across formations and units nationwide.
The week-long Nigerian Army Day Celebration will begin on July 1 and culminate in the grand finale on July 6, 2026.

Highlighting activities lined up for the celebration, Shaibu said there would be Jumat prayers and interdenominational church services across Army formations, public speaking engagements in secondary schools nationwide, the NADCEL Lecture, the Chief of Army Staff Literary Competition Award Ceremony, a media interaction with senior journalists and the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) Charity Outreach Programme in Port Harcourt.

He further disclosed that the grand finale would feature the African Land Forces Forum (AFRILAFF) 2026, organised by Great Minds Event Limited, a Dubai-based event management company.

The forum, themed “Securing Africa: Advanced Defence, United Efforts,” will bring together Chiefs of Army and other military leaders from across Africa to discuss regional security challenges and defence cooperation.

According to the COAS, the event will also feature an international defence exhibition where manufacturers and vendors will showcase modern military equipment, technology and combat support systems for potential acquisition by African armed forces.

Shaibu noted that the Nigerian Army Day Celebration was first observed on July 6, 1978, to commemorate the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War on July 6, 1967.
He described the annual celebration as a reminder of the cost of national disunity and the enduring importance of peace, reconciliation and national cohesion.

The Army chief also recalled that the Nigerian Army traces its origins to 1863 when Lieutenant John Glover of the Royal Navy established a small force of 18 indigenous soldiers known as the “Glover Hausas.”

He said the force later evolved into the West African Frontier Force in 1890 before becoming the Nigerian Regiment, the Queen’s Own Nigerian Regiment and subsequently the Nigerian Military Force.

Following Nigeria’s independence in 1960, it became the Royal Nigerian Army and officially assumed its current name, the Nigerian Army, after the country attained republican status in 1963.