…Wake Up, Igbo Youths: Enlist Now In Nigerian Armed Forces For Future SAKE
By Christian Aburime
Ĺ”Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s passionate call during the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day in Awka is a battle cry against Igbo self-marginalisation”
In Nigeria, the term ‘marginalisation’ is a recurring decimal in the national discourse, often used to describe the perceived or actual exclusion of certain ethnic nationalities from the levers of economic, political and military power.
Since the 1914 amalgamation, the Nigerian project has strived to balance the interests of over 370 ethnic groups, leading to a landscape defined by mutual suspicion and a fierce “share of the national cake” mentality.
Marginalisation in our Nigerian context is rarely just about numbers; it is about access. It manifests in cardinal dimensions such as political exclusion, economic inequality, and institutional imbalance.
While agitating for equity is a democratic right, there is also the danger of self-marginalisation. This occurs when an ethnic nationality, out of protest or disillusionment, withdraws from national institutions and certain enlistment exercises.
In a federal system like Nigeria, “out of sight is out of mind.” By encouraging their best minds to join the federal civil service, military, and judiciary, ethnic nationalities ensure they have “insiders” who understand the system and can advocate for fairness from within.
Ignoring this, history shows that groups that opt out of national processes often wake up a decade later to find themselves statistically “diminished” or under-represented in federal institutions, leading to a fresh cycle of disadvantage that is difficult to reverse.
The foregoing dynamics drive the absolute imperative for Ndigbo, especially the vibrant, resilient youths of the Southeast and our brothers and sisters from Anambra State especially, to wake up! The time for sitting on the sidelines is over. The era of self-imposed exile from the heart of Nigeria’s security architecture must end now.
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s passionate call during the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day in Awka is a battle cry against Igbo self-marginalisation.
As we mark the 56th anniversary of the end of that needless Nigerian Civil War, a conflict that scarred our souls but ended with the noble “no victor, no vanquished” philosophy, it is high time Ndigbo reclaimed their stake as co-owners of Project Nigeria by enlisting in the Nigerian Armed Forces, such as the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Enlisting in any of the institutions is crucial in order to avoid a future where other regions parade their generals while Ndigbo wallow in regret and irrelevance.
Let us face the brutal truth laid bare by Governor Soludo: our youths are shockingly underrepresented in the above-mentioned critical institutions.
In the last recruitment drives for the Army and Police, Anambra and the entire Southeast recorded the lowest enlistment rates in the country. This is self-sabotage! We have allowed the ghosts of the past, the lingering pains of the Civil War, to chain us to the margins. But as Governor Soludo rightly affirmed, “Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we cannot be full members while opting out.” By shunning enlistment opportunities, we are not just forfeiting jobs or careers; we are surrendering our voice in the corridors of power.
Of course, the point here is not about glorifying war or forgetting our history. Far from it. The Remembrance Day ceremony was a solemn tribute to all fallen heroes, from the Civil War dead to those who have paid the supreme price since. But true peace and integration demand participation. The military and paramilitary are platforms for national service, leadership, and influence. Enlisting means stepping up as equal owners, shaping policies that affect us all, from national security with the Army, Airforce and Navy, border security with the NIS and NCS, to internal peace with the NSCDC and Police, to road safety with the FRSC, rehabilitation with the NCoS, and anti-drug efforts with the NDLEA.
Think of the heroes the Southeast region would be losing by staying away from enlistment. Our youths, intelligent, innovative, and resilient, could be future generals, strategists, and reformers.
Governor Soludo’s challenge is crystal clear: “We must participate equally as equal owners of Project Nigeria.” Refusing to enter the Police or Armed Forces today means complaining tomorrow about the lack of Anambra or Igbo extraction in leadership roles. That’s not victimhood; that’s voluntary defeat.
So, to the Anambra youths in particular, the Light of the Nation has always led by example. From commerce to education, we have excelled. Now, let us dominate in service to the fatherland. Enlistment offers discipline, skills, and a sense of purpose that no other path may match.
It is also a gateway to pensions, prestige, and power. For the broader Southeast, we have rebuilt from the ashes of war; it is time to rebuild our presence in every institution that holds Nigeria together. This is the moment to say “never again” to self-marginalisation.
In the end, true national integration does not require the death of ethnic identity; rather, it requires ethnic nationalities to view the Nigerian State as a platform for growth. By participating vigorously in national projects, groups secure their share of the present and protect their stake in the future. To stay away is not just a protest; it is often a strategic retreat that cedes the ground to others.
Rise up, Ndigbo youths! Secure your legacy, honour our fallen heroes, and ensure that when Nigeria’s top commands are discussed in years to come, Igbo names echo prominently. The future won’t forgive hesitation; it will punish indifference. Enlist today!
