By Mustapha Yauri
Zaria (Kaduna State), Dec. 13, 2025 (NAN) In a major strategic move to bolster national security capacity, the Federal Government has granted approval for the establishment of a new Nigerian Army Training Depot in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. This decision, announced by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, represents a direct investment in enhancing the Army’s combat readiness by systematically increasing the output of professionally trained soldiers.
Lt.-Gen. Shuaibu made the revelation while serving as the Reviewing Officer at the Passing Out Parade for the 89 Regular Recruit Intake at the historic Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria. He confirmed that President Bola Tinubu sanctioned the creation of this third training depot, which will operate alongside the long-standing facilities in Zaria and Oshogbo.
“The Abakaliki depot will soon become operational and will further support the Army’s strategic plan to surge troop strength and enhance operational effectiveness,” the COAS stated. This expansion is not merely about adding another location; it is a calculated component of a larger force posture strategy. For context, the Nigerian Army has been engaged in a multi-front battle against insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and secessionist agitations in the southeast. A higher throughput of trained personnel is essential to relieve overstretched units, enable more robust rotations, and establish a deeper bench of operational reserves.
A critical aspect of this expansion is the standardization of training. Lt.-Gen. Shuaibu emphasized that the training curricula across the three depots in Zaria, Oshogbo, and the new Abakaliki facility would be streamlined. This ensures uniform standards, partnerships, and the acquisition of relevant military skills regardless of geographic location. In practice, this means a soldier trained in Abakaliki will be at the same proficiency level as one from Zaria, facilitating seamless integration into operational commands across the country. This move mitigates the risk of variable training quality and solidifies a unified doctrine and ethos throughout the rank and file.
The establishment in Abakaliki also carries significant geopolitical and economic weight. Situated in the southeast, it places a major training institution in a region that has experienced security challenges. This can foster greater local recruitment, enhance community-army relations, and stimulate the local economy through infrastructure development and ancillary services. It is a tangible demonstration of federal presence and investment in the region’s stability.
During the Zaria ceremony, the COAS directly addressed the 3,439 soldiers who successfully completed their rigorous training, having started with 3,500 recruits on July 1. “As you begin this new phase of your lives, you have answered one of the highest clarion calls to national duty any Nigerian can make,” Shuaibu said. He framed their entry into service as timely and critical: “You are joining the Army at a critical time when the nation faces diverse security challenges, and you must see yourselves as part of the solution to these challenges.”
He charged the new soldiers to anchor their careers on the pillars of selfless service, discipline, and a positive attitude. These qualities, he implied, are the non-negotiable foundation upon which technical military skills must be built for effective counter-insurgency and peacekeeping operations.
The announcement coincided with the conclusion of the training cycle in Zaria, with a corresponding Passing Out Parade for recruits from the Depot Nigerian Army in Oshogbo scheduled for the following week. This highlights the synchronized, multi-depot training pipeline the Army is now formalizing. The addition of Abakaliki will create a triangular training structure that optimizes logistical networks and reduces over-dependence on any single facility, thereby enhancing the overall resilience and scalability of the Army’s recruitment and training machinery. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
AM/KLM
Edited by Muhammad Lawal
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