Historical Wounds and Fear of Marginalisation Keep Igbo Youths Away from Army Recruitment

 

Historical Grievances and Fear Undermine Army Recruitment Efforts in the South East

The Nigerian Army's recent recruitment sensitisation drive in the South-East has revealed a glaring imbalance in participation, with only 200 registrants from the entire region. This figure pales in comparison to the thousands recorded from other parts of the country, raising alarm bells and prompting urgent calls for introspection and redress.

Brigadier-General Chima Ekeator, leading the Army Force Headquarters Recruitment Sensitisation Team in Anambra State, expressed concern over the low turnout and urged Igbo youths to seize the opportunity to serve, noting that every region has a quota that should be filled.

Despite these appeals, the response from the South-East remains lukewarm at best. Conversations with community leaders, socio-political stakeholders, and cultural advocates reveal a deeper, more entrenched issue: a legacy of distrust rooted in historical events, systemic marginalisation, and a perception of injustice.

Chief Chekwas Okorie, founder and Board of Trustees Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), believes the disinterest is not a new phenomenon. According to him, it is the result of a post-war climate that discouraged Igbo participation in federal institutions.

Following the Nigerian-Biafran civil war, Igbo applicants reportedly faced steep barriers in joining the military, police, or other government bodies. Okorie recounted stories of young men and women being asked for exorbitant bribes during recruitment processes, which fostered a belief that these jobs were not accessible to them. Consequently, many turned their attention to entrepreneurship and the private sector for stability and dignity.

Adding to the chorus of voices, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, former president of the pan-Igbo organisation Aka Ikenga, lamented the loss of faith in the armed forces. According to him, Igbo youth today see the military not as a symbol of national pride, but as an institution feared more than criminal gangs.

"The same young people who are hesitant to join the Nigerian military have no such reservations when enlisting in the armed forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, or even war-torn nations like Ukraine,” Uwazurike observed. He argued that military service in Nigeria has failed to evolve into the respected, professional path it should be.

At the heart of this issue lies a cocktail of generational trauma and modern-day fear. The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), represented by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, painted a vivid picture of the emotional and psychological landscape shaping young Igbo decisions today.

Ibem explained that one of the most pervasive beliefs among South-East youths is that Igbo soldiers are disproportionately assigned to high-risk zones, particularly the volatile North-East regions grappling with insurgency. Stories of Igbo soldiers losing their lives in these missions — often without much national recognition — have created a powerful deterrent.

Even more troubling is the stigma that can follow an Igbo youth who joins the military. Amid growing insecurity in the region, some communities see enlistees as collaborators with a government viewed as oppressive. The fear of being labelled a traitor or facing retaliation from local groups — particularly where separatist sentiments run high — has made military service not just undesirable, but dangerous.

Ibem added that the structural issues go beyond fear or bias in deployment. Many young people also express disillusionment over a lack of equitable treatment in promotions, recognition, and postings within the armed forces. These perceptions, whether real or exaggerated, further reinforce the divide.

According to the youth leader, reversing this trend will take more than a public relations campaign. He advocated for a multipronged approach: national reconciliation, transparency in military policy, community engagement, and deliberate efforts to assure Igbo youth that they will be treated equally and protected.

The challenge, therefore, goes beyond numbers or quotas. What’s unfolding is a reflection of deeper wounds that have never fully healed and a mirror held up to a nation that must confront its divisions if it hopes to forge unity through service.

As the Army continues its recruitment tour in the region, the ball is in the court of federal authorities. Rebuilding trust will require sincerity, policy shifts, and a rebranding of the military as a truly national institution — one that not only protects but also reflects the diversity of Nigeria in its ranks. Until then, the turnout may remain low, and the scepticism high.