Army Lacks Funds to Accommodate 13,000 New Recruits, Says COAS

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has disclosed that the Nigerian Army is currently unable to accommodate 13,000 newly recruited personnel due to inadequate funding. He made this known during a strategic engagement in Abuja, where he appealed to the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders for increased financial support. According to the Army Chief, the influx of new recruits, though crucial to strengthening national security, has further strained the already limited resources of the Army. He revealed that essential infrastructure such as housing, training facilities, and logistics are grossly insufficient to meet the needs of the incoming personnel. Oluyede stressed that without immediate intervention, the Army may struggle to integrate the recruits effectively, a situation he warned could negatively impact troop morale and operational efficiency. He called for an urgent review of the Army’s budget to address the growing demands of internal security operations and personnel welfare. This development comes amid heightened security challenges across various regions of the country, with the military overstretched by ongoing operations against insurgents, bandits, and other criminal elements. The COAS’s remarks echo previous warnings from past military leaders, including former COAS Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who had highlighted persistent underfunding and its implications on military readiness. Despite a reported annual defense budget of $2.8 billion, experts say the real value of funds is undermined by inflation and inconsistent releases, leaving the military struggling to meet basic operational needs. The Army’s latest concern has reignited calls for more transparent and sustainable funding models to support not only equipment procurement but also the welfare and infrastructure required to maintain an effective fighting force.