OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria TITLE: LOCATE ARMY TRAINING DEPOTS IN THE SIX GEOPOLITICAL ZONES OF NIGERIA

 

Your Excellency,

I write in the spirit and letter of proportionality, equity, national unity, and strategic inclusiveness to commend your transformational decisions on national security infrastructure, and to respectfully present a balanced proposal for the location and deployment of Nigerian Army training depots across all six geopolitical zones of our beloved country Nigeria.

Your leadership has already signaled a departure from the old fashioned historical centralization of military training in the Northern region by approving new Nigerian Army  Training depots outside the traditional hub.

 This noteworthy effort in my opinion will promote national integration, equitable opportunity, and regional representation in the Nigerian Army’s training architecture.

Current Status of Nigerian Army Depots

As of today January 2026, the Nigerian Army is actively expanding its recruit training capacity with the following major depots:

From available records in the public domain, we have Nigerian  Army  Training Depot, Zaria 

 — North West , we have 

Nigeria Army Training Depot, Kaduda

Oldest and primary army recruit training depot in Nigeria, North West . We have Nigerian Army Training  Depot, , Osogbo — South West (Osun State)

A recently established depot, marking the first formal Army recruit training facility in the South West.

Through Your Renewed Hope lnitiative, the Nigerian Army, Trainng Depot Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State — South East (South East Zone is currently going on,.

Newly approved and under construction, with land generously donated by the Ebonyi State Government, 

we commend you for that laudable effort

These facilities demonstrate forward-thinking measures that break the historical monopoly of training in a single region, enhance manpower development, and respond to evolving security challenges nationwide.

Equitable Distribution Across Nigeria’s Six Geopolitical Zones

To ensure true national equity and proportional representation in military training opportunities — and thereby strengthen security, unity, and youth empowerment — the following distribution is proposed:

1. North West Zone

Current:

• Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria (Kaduna State) — serves North West and functions as an established national training hub, which is very good.

2. South West Zone

Current:

• Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo (Osun State) — newly operational to deepen Army presence and training accessibility in the South West. Good, with time we can add more

3. South East Zone

Current:

•Nigerian Army, Training Depot, Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State — under construction following Presidential approval, providing training equity for the South East, good with time we can add more.

4. North East Zone — Proposal

Rationale:

This zone currently lacks a major Nigerian Army recruit depot. Given intense security challenges (including insurgency and communal conflicts), establishing a depot here would:

Improve local training accessibility for youths,

Strengthen rapid deployment capabilities in the region,

Encourage regional ownership of national security.

Suggested Location:

• Maiduguri or Yola area, in collaboration with host communities and relevant state governments.

5. North Central Zone — Proposal

Rationale:

Despite its strategic location and diverse population, North Central currently relies on Zaria for recruit training. A dedicated North Central depot would:

Promote federal presence and job creation,

Reduce training congestion in other zones,

Facilitate balanced representation.

Suggested Location:

• Minna, Niger State, given its existing TRADOC (Training & Doctrine Command) presence and logistical advantages.

6. South South Zone — Proposal

Rationale:

The South South Zone, rich in population and strategic resources, currently lacks a major Army recruit training depot. Establishing one would:

Enhance security collaboration with oil-producing states,

Strengthen youth recruitment and skills development, which is capacity building.

Foster civil-military cooperation in a region integral to national stability.

Suggested Location:

• Benin City (Edo State) or Port Harcourt (Rivers State) — due to existing military infrastructure and accessibility or Effurun in Delta state .

Benefits of Strategic Geographic Distribution of Training Depots

• National cohesion and unity through shared access to military training opportunities.

• Equitable youth inclusion from all zones into the Nigerian Army’s ranks.

• Operational readiness by reducing deployment time from training facilities to key security theatres.

• Economic growth via job creation, infrastructure development, and local business stimulation around depot sites.

• Enhanced civil-military relations in regions historically underserved by federal military investments.

Conclusion

Mr. President, your administration’s remarkable steps to decentralize Army training infrastructure are already reshaping Nigeria’s security landscape. An intentional extension of that policy to fully encompass all six geopolitical zones — North West, North East, North Central, South West, South East, and South South is a fundamental necessity, which  — will catalyze stronger national unity, operational effectiveness, equitable representation, and sustainable development.

I humbly submit this proposal in the spirit of proportionality, equity and national progress.

My Special Regards to you and all Members of the Federal Executive Council. ( FEC) .

Yours Most Respectfully,

Long Live The Federal Republic of  Nigeria The giant of Africa.

Comrade  Wilson Macaulay

is a Journalist, Writer, Development Advocate and Public Affairs Analyst based in Warri @08030886420 whatsapp only.

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