The Lagos State government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has raised concerns about the low participation of Lagos residents in military recruitment. During a quarterly meeting with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Ikeja, the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, highlighted the underrepresentation of Lagosians in the nation’s military ranks.
Salu-Hundeyin expressed disappointment at the minimal number of applicants from Lagos during recent recruitment drives. She stressed that national security is a shared responsibility, and joining the military is an essential way for citizens to contribute to the state and the country. The Secretary noted that the Federal Government has set a quota for military recruitment, with each state allocated 150 positions, but Lagos State has been falling short of filling these slots.
“We discovered that in the military in Nigeria, Lagos State has been seriously short-changed. We hardly have people there,” Salu-Hundeyin said. She urged local youths to seize this opportunity and consider military service as a meaningful career path, emphasizing that participation in national security should not be limited to specific groups.
She concluded by noting that the reluctance of Lagos residents to join the military is affecting the state’s representation, and encouraged more participation to ensure Lagos does not miss out on opportunities in national defense.