Why Igbo youths shun military enlistment - South East youth leaders

---

---

By Madu Obi

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, has said that the reason Igbo youths shun enlistment into the Nigerian Army is because they are mostly deployed to volatile areas.

Recent statistics showed that the South East geopolitical zone records the poorest during military recruitment.

In a statement, the President General of COSEYL, Comrade Goodluck Ibem said that in addition to alleged deployment of Igbo soldiers to volatile parts of the North, where casualty figures are always high among soldiers, another reason is poor career progression.

He also listed historical mistrust arising from the last civil war massacre, the influence of separatist elements and targeted killings by their own brothers posing as separatists.

He said that for the trend to be reversed, the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army must come out clean to address the fears, including forging genuine reconciliation and promise of equal opportunities.

He said: "We join others to express concern that has been voiced by many stakeholders and community leaders in the South East region regarding the consistent low enlistment of our youths into the Nigerian Army.

However, a combination of historical, political, and socio-cultural factors contributes to this hesitancy among Igbo youths to join the military.

The common sentiment among South East youths is that recruits from their region are more likely to be deployed to high-risk zones, particularly the North East, where Boko Haram and other insurgent groups remain active.

The scars of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), in which the South East attempted to secede as Biafra, still linger. Many families that lived through the war passed down their distrust for the Nigerian military and federal institutions.

Also, youths in the South East often express frustration with what they perceive as systemic bias in recruitment, promotion, and recognition within the military.

The feeling that career progression in the armed forces is limited for non-northerners or non-Muslims reduces the attractiveness of a military career for many in the region."

He said that while national service is a noble and honorable pursuit, this sentiment has contributed to hesitation and, in many cases, outright refusal by eligible youths to enlist.

It is crucial that the Nigerian Army addresses these concerns transparently to encourage greater national participation and trust among all ethnic groups", he said.