Nigeria, July 16 -- The issue, which has lingered for years, once prompted the military to convene a high-level stakeholder engagement in Enugu, bringing together representatives from across the region to identify the causes of the declining enlistment and chart a way forward.

Although interventions involving the military, state governments, traditional rulers and political leaders have followed, stakeholders say the challenge remains unresolved as insecurity continues to threaten the country.

The concern resurfaced recently when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, lamented the persistently low enlistment of South-East youths into the Nigerian Army.

Speaking at the passing-out parade of 90 recruits of the Army's 99 ...