WorldStage– The Nigerian Army on Tuesday commenced construction of a new training depot at Amasiri-Edda, located within the Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State.
The initiative, directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the national security architecture and expand the military’s training capacity.
President Tinubu approved the facility in December 2025. It is situated on 618 hectares of land donated by the Ebonyi State Government to serve as a hub for the South-East region.
The ceremony was performed on January 13, 2026, by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, representing the state government and host communities.
Strategic Expansion:
The new facility brings the total number of Nigerian Army training depots to three, joining the historic Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria (est. 1924) and the newly established Depot in Osogbo (est. 2025).
According to the department of defence, the depot aims to enhance recruitment opportunities for South-East youths, ensure equitable distribution of military infrastructure, and improve operational readiness against evolving security threats.
In addition to infrastructure development, President Tinubu’s administration has authorized several major military enhancements: Air power modernization; and acquisition of 24 advanced M-346FA fighter jets from Italy, with the full fleet expected to be operational by mid-2026.
The enhancement also includes procurement of new mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, a new armored fleet, and the refurbishment of over 100 existing Armoured Fighting Vehicles.
For 2026, the federal government earmarked N3.15 trillion for defense, with a focus on improving troop welfare, including housing and salary enhancements.
With the addition of the Amasiri-Edda facility, Nigeria’s Army training depots are now strategically located in Zaria (Kaduna State), Osogbo (Osun State), and Ebonyi State, reflecting the federal government’s broader commitment to strengthening, professionalizing, and modernizing the Armed Forces across the nation’s geopolitical zones.
