Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has commended the Nigerian Army and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for approving four additional Army formations in the state, barely a week after he criticised the Federal Government over funding for a new Army division.
Makinde, who spoke through his Deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, gave the commendation on Wednesday at a public sensitisation programme for indigenes and stakeholders on the ongoing 92 Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) for Trades/Non-Tradesmen and Women, held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The governor’s latest position marks a contrast with his recent criticism of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government over the funding of the newly established Army division, particularly in relation to the financial responsibilities expected of the state government.
Speaking on the new formations, Makinde expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army and the COAS for approving additional military formations for Oyo State.
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 would strengthen security across the state while also providing the capacity to support national defence and military operations.
Describing the sensitisation programme as timely and critical in view of recent banditry challenges, Makinde said only an organised and identifiable institution such as the Nigerian Army could effectively confront such threats.
He also linked the recruitment exercise to employment opportunities for youths, noting that despite the employment of over 23,000 workers into the civil and public service since 2019, thousands of qualified young people remained unemployed.
The governor said the Nigerian Army could provide young men and women with meaningful employment, a clear career path and opportunities for national service.
Makinde assured that the state government would widely disseminate information on the recruitment exercise, expressing confidence that Oyo youths would take advantage of the opportunity to enlist.
He urged qualified indigenes to participate in the recruitment exercise and appealed to stakeholders and members of the public to circulate the information across communities in the state.
Speaking on the 92 Regular Recruits Intake, the Team Lead, Brigadier General Olusegun Okungbure, said the sensitisation programme was organised to encourage able-bodied youths to enlist in the Nigerian Army.
He disclosed that the recruitment exercise commenced on September 9, 2026, and would end on October 21, 2026, adding that it was open to qualified male and female indigenes of Oyo State.
Okungbure stressed that the application was free and urged prospective applicants to use only the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal.
He explained that the current recruitment drive followed an earlier exercise ordered by the Chief of Army Staff because of the low turnout of applicants from Oyo State.
Although the intervention improved the number of applications from the state, he said Oyo still fell short of its allotted quota of successful candidates.
The Army officer therefore called on youths across the 33 local government areas of the state to see enlistment as a noble call to national service rather than merely an avenue for employment.
He highlighted national integration, foreign exposure, peacekeeping experience, improved welfare packages and world-class medical care among the benefits of serving in the Nigerian Army.
In his vote of thanks, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Security Coordination, Major General Lukman Omoniyi (rtd), thanked Governor Makinde for his support for security agencies and urged stakeholders to take the recruitment message to their various communities.
Earlier, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, encouraged parents to support their wards in registering for the exercise and urged applicants to comply strictly with the entry requirements to enable the state meet its recruitment quota.
The event was attended by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaja Wasilat Adegoke; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun; Commissioner for Energy, Prof. Dahud Shangodoyin; Executive Chairman, OYORUWASSA, Alhaji Babalola Afobaje; Executive Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Kamorudeen Aderibigbe; Chairperson, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Mrs Dotun Olaitan; Permanent Secretaries; traditional rulers; religious leaders and market leaders, among other dignitaries.
