The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on qualified indigenes to seize the opportunity created by the establishment of new Nigerian Army formations to join the military.
Governor Makinde made the call through his deputy, Bayo Lawal, at a public sensitisation programme for indigenes and stakeholders on the 92 Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) for Tradesmen, Non-Tradesmen, and Women held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.
He listed the new formations as a brigade and battalion in Oyo town, an infantry battalion in Kishi, a newly approved artillery regiment battalion in Iseyin, and another battalion in Oriire.
According to him, the formations are not only strategic for local security but are capable of launching national defence and attack operations.
Describing the sensitisation campaign as timely and critical in light of recent banditry challenges, Makinde said only an organised and identifiable institution like the Nigerian Army could confront such threats effectively.
He also linked the recruitment drive to job creation, noting that despite employing over 23,000 workers into the civil and public service since 2019, thousands of qualified youths remain unemployed.
He, however, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for approving four additional formations for the state.
He stressed that the army provides young men and women with meaningful employment and a clear career path.
Makinde assured that the state government would widely disseminate information on the recruitment exercise and expressed confidence that Oyo youths would enlist in large numbers.
He also appealed to the public to help circulate the information across all communities.
Speaking on the 92 Regular Recruits Intake, the Team Lead, Brigadier General Olusegun Okungbure, said the sensitisation programme aims to encourage able-bodied youths to enlist.
He disclosed that the recruitment exercise began on September 9, 2026, and would run until October 21, 2026, and was open to qualified male and female indigenes of Oyo State.
He emphasised that the application was free and urged prospective applicants to use only the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal.
Okungbure explained that the current drive followed an earlier exercise ordered by the COAS due to low turnout from Oyo State.
Although that effort improved application numbers, the state still fell short of its allotted quota of successful candidates.
He called on youths across the 33 local government areas to view joining the Nigerian Army as a noble call to national service, not merely a source of job security.
He highlighted benefits such as national integration, foreign exposure and peacekeeping experience, enhanced welfare packages, and world-class medical care.
In his vote of thanks, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Security Coordination, Major General Lukman Omoniyi (retd.), thanked Makinde for his unwavering support for security agencies and urged stakeholders to enlighten their communities to ensure a strong turnout.
Earlier, in his goodwill message, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, encouraged parents to support their wards in registering and urged applicants to strictly adhere to all entry requirements so the state can meet its quota.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
