Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally approved the establishment of a new Depot of the Nigerian Army in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, marking a strategic expansion of the nation’s military training infrastructure as part of broader efforts to enhance defence capacity amid persistent security challenges. The announcement was made on December 13, 2025, by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, during the passing-out parade of recruits at the Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State, underscoring the initiative’s significance for national security planning.
The new facility will become the third Army depot in Nigeria, joining the existing facilities in Zaria (Kaduna State) and Osogbo (Osun State). Until recently, Zaria had been the primary centre for recruit training since colonial times, with Osogbo established earlier in 2025. The addition of the Abakaliki depot forms a key part of the Army’s strategic plan to expand its training capacity and decentralise recruit processing, enabling a more robust and responsive force structure across the country’s geographies.
In his address at the parade, Lt-Gen. Shaibu emphasised that the Abakaliki depot will play a crucial role in producing well-trained, disciplined and professional soldiers capable of tackling evolving internal and external threats. According to the COAS, the facility will provide specialised and mission-oriented instruction, with an emphasis on marksmanship, fieldcraft and operational readiness. He explained that these enhancements align with ongoing reforms aimed at modernising the Nigerian Army’s training curricula and overall capability.
The decision to situate the new depot in Ebonyi State carries both strategic and symbolic importance. It reflects a drive not only to strengthen military preparedness but also to broaden federal engagement in parts of the country that have historically lacked extensive defence infrastructure. Observers suggest that this move could help balance the distribution of key security assets and respond more effectively to dynamic threats, including insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest and escalating communal violence in central regions.
According to defence sources, the establishment of the Abakaliki depot is designed to ensure a steady stream of trained personnel for deployment across Nigeria’s theatres of operation. Lt-Gen. Shaibu noted that alongside the recruits graduating in Zaria — over 3,400 newly trained soldiers — additional recruits from Osogbo will also soon join the Army’s ranks, with advanced training to follow at the new facility. The expanded training footprint is expected to ease pressure on existing depots and improve the Army’s ability to mobilise forces in response to security needs.
Beyond immediate military considerations, the new depot is anticipated to have wider socio-economic benefits for Abakaliki and environs. Large-scale military establishments typically generate employment opportunities and stimulate auxiliary service sectors, including housing, logistics and local commerce. Officials and community leaders in Ebonyi State have welcomed the announcement, describing it as potential economic stimulus that could enhance local infrastructure and boost regional development.
The approval arrives amid Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to confront complex security challenges that have strained defence resources for years. Insurgency in the northeast, sustained bandit attacks in the northwest, growth in organised criminal gangs and clashes between herders and farming communities have underscored the need for a larger, more agile military force. The Army’s leadership has repeatedly stressed that recruitment and training expansion are central to sustaining peace and stability.
President Tinubu’s endorsement of the Abakaliki depot aligns with broader reforms within Nigeria’s security architecture, which have included upgrades to other training facilities, investments in technology and logistics, and efforts to enhance inter-agency cooperation. The approval has also been viewed as part of a systematic plan to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s institutional capacity, ensuring that troop numbers and skill sets keep pace with emerging threats and operational demands.
Military analysts have noted that the establishment of the Abakaliki depot could improve training throughput and reduce bottlenecks associated with concentrating recruit training in a limited number of locations. Streamlining training across multiple depots may also encourage uniform standards and curricular improvements tailored to contemporary battlefield requirements, including urban operations, counter-insurgency tactics and technology-driven combat support functions.
The Nigerian Army’s expansion efforts have drawn reactions across political and civil society spheres. Supporters of the initiative argue that strengthening military infrastructure is essential for safeguarding citizens and preserving national sovereignty. At the same time, some commentators have called for complementary investments in community policing, intelligence capabilities and socio-economic development as part of a holistic approach to security that addresses root causes as well as tactical readiness.
As plans to operationalise the Abakaliki depot move forward, defence authorities are expected to release further details on construction timelines, capacity targets and recruitment strategies. The facility’s development is likely to remain a priority within broader national security and defence policy discussions as Nigeria continues to adapt to changing security dynamics at home and in the wider West African region.
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