Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Lagos State government has raised concerns over the declining participation of residents in military recruitment. This issue was highlighted during a quarterly meeting held in Ikeja with the Chairman and members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC). According to the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the number of applicants from Lagos State enlisting in the military remains alarmingly low. This revelation came after a recent recruitment exercise conducted in the state.
Salu-Hundeyin stressed on Wednesday that national security is not the sole responsibility of any single group but a collective effort. She emphasized that serving in the military represents a crucial contribution, not only to the state but also to the nation at large. The government expressed particular concern over the underrepresentation of Lagos youths, with many opting not to apply for military positions despite ongoing recruitment efforts.
Furthermore, Salu-Hundeyin pointed out that the Federal Government had established guidelines requiring an even distribution of military recruits, ensuring that each state is allotted 150 positions. This measure, she explained, is designed to foster a balanced representation of all states in the military, ensuring national security remains a shared duty.
"We discovered that in the military in Nigeria, Lagos State has been seriously short-changed. We hardly have people there. So, we are looking at this opportunity now, that it should not escape indigenes again," she said.
She elaborated on the critical nature of the military in maintaining national security, reiterating that it is a duty which should involve all segments of the population. Salu-Hundeyin further noted that while not everyone can wear the uniform, the government's recruitment process allows willing individuals to volunteer for this vital role.
"Unfortunately, in Lagos State, our children don’t like to join the military. They don’t see any reason they should be part of the army. If your state does not participate, you are short-changing your state," Salu-Hundeyin said, emphasizing the potential loss of representation and security investment if local youth continue to show little interest in military service.