Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has urged qualified youths across the state to take advantage of the ongoing Nigerian Army recruitment exercise, as he disclosed that four additional Army formations have been approved for the state.
Makinde, represented by his Deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, made the call on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at a sensitisation programme organised for indigenes and stakeholders on the 92nd Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) for Trades and Non-Trades Men and Women.
The programme was held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The governor expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, for approving the additional formations, describing them as significant to the security architecture of the state.
According to him, the new formations comprise a brigade and battalion in Oyo town, an infantry battalion in Kishi, an artillery regiment battalion in Iseyin and another battalion in Oriire.
Makinde said the presence of the formations would strengthen security at the local level while also enhancing the capacity of the military to undertake wider national defence operations.
He described the recruitment sensitisation exercise as particularly important against the backdrop of recent security challenges, including banditry.
The governor said confronting such threats required the presence and coordination of established security institutions such as the Nigerian Army.
He also linked the recruitment exercise to the need to create more employment opportunities for young people in the state.
Makinde said although his administration had employed more than 23,000 people into the civil and public service since 2019, a significant number of qualified youths were still seeking employment.
He urged eligible youths to consider a career in the Nigerian Army, noting that it offers employment as well as opportunities for professional development and national service.
The governor assured that the state government would ensure that information about the recruitment exercise reached communities across Oyo State.
He appealed to traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders to assist in disseminating the information and encouraging eligible youths to participate.
Speaking on the recruitment exercise, the Team Lead, Brig.-Gen. Olusegun Okungbure, said the sensitisation programme was organised to encourage more qualified youths to apply.
Okungbure disclosed that the 92 Regular Recruits Intake commenced on September 9, 2026, and would close on October 21, 2026.
He said the exercise was open to qualified male and female indigenes of Oyo State, stressing that the application process was completely free.
The Army officer warned prospective applicants against falling victim to fraudsters, urging them to submit their applications only through the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal.
He explained that the latest recruitment drive followed an earlier directive from the Chief of Army Staff after Oyo State recorded a low turnout in a previous exercise.
Although the intervention led to an improvement in applications, Okungbure said the state still did not meet its allocated quota of successful recruits.
He therefore appealed to qualified youths in all 33 local government areas of the state to participate in the current exercise.
The Army representative urged applicants to regard military service as a commitment to national service rather than merely an avenue for securing employment.
He listed national integration, international exposure through peacekeeping operations, improved welfare packages and access to advanced medical care among the benefits associated with a career in the Nigerian Army.
Also speaking, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Security Coordination, Major-General Lukman Omoniyi (rtd.), commended the governor’s support for security agencies.
He urged stakeholders to take the recruitment message to their respective communities to ensure that Oyo State produces enough qualified candidates to meet its quota.
The Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, who delivered a goodwill message at the event, also encouraged parents to support their children and wards who are interested in joining the Army.
The traditional ruler urged prospective applicants to comply strictly with the prescribed entry requirements to improve the state’s chances of meeting its recruitment allocation.
The event was attended by members of the state executive council, senior government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market leaders, and other stakeholders.
