Nigeria has established a second Army Recruit Training Depot in Osogbo, Osun State, making it only the second of such in the country after the long-standing depot in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The new facility, named Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It marks the first time in Nigeria’s history that a military training base has been decentralised from the north.
The Zaria depot, which was established in 1924, has for over a century trained thousands of personnel for the Nigerian Army. Until now, it had been the sole recruit training centre in the country.
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Military analysts have long pointed out the concentration of military institutions in Kaduna State.
The state is home to establishments such as the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, and the Army School of Artillery in Kachia, among others.
The Osogbo depot recently hosted its first inter-company endurance competition for recruits of the 89 regular intake, featuring both five and ten kilometre races.
Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Major Yahaya Ibrahim, explained: “The competition was designed to build recruits’ stamina, endurance, and team spirit, which are essential qualities for their training.”
In the five kilometre race, Juliet Company secured first place, while Delta Company finished last. For the ten kilometre category, Charlie Company emerged champions, with Juliet Company ending at the bottom.
Individual recruits who excelled in the contests were recognised as Black Panthers and awarded cash prizes.
Both male and female participants received commendations for their performances.
Commandant of the depot, Brigadier General Buhari Madaki, praised the recruits for their commitment.
He said: “I congratulate all participants for a successful outing. This level of enthusiasm and dedication will serve them well in their training.”
In July, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, paid an operational visit to the Osogbo depot, underscoring its importance in the Nigerian Army’s training structure.
According to Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS urged instructors to focus on producing “top-notch soldiers Nigerians can be proud of.”
Oluyede emphasised the need for professionalism, stating: “Effective training is critical to producing gallant soldiers capable of defending our territorial integrity and frustrating the activities of criminal groups.”
He also inspected training facilities and infrastructure at the Osogbo depot, assessing their readiness and identifying areas requiring improvement to enhance operational performance.
During the visit, he tasked officers to align with his vision of strengthening the Army’s capacity to discharge its constitutional duties.
The establishment of the Osogbo depot has been widely described as a strategic move to spread military training facilities more evenly across the country.
The new depot is expected to reduce the burden on the Zaria centre, which has trained every recruit for over 100 years.
It is also anticipated to boost local development in Osogbo and its environs, with increased military presence likely to stimulate economic activities.
Military officials have said the depot will continue to receive priority attention to ensure it meets the highest standards of training.
As recruits of the 89 regular intake continue their programme, the Nigerian Army has reiterated its commitment to using the Osogbo depot as a hub for producing disciplined, professional, and combat-ready soldiers.
