President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and enhance the military’s operational capacity.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the approval reflects the President’s commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to effectively tackle the country’s evolving security challenges while reinforcing national defence capabilities.
The statement said the expansion forms part of the administration’s broader investments in the military, which include the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improved welfare for troops, enhanced operational readiness, and sustained force modernisation initiatives.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country. Four new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City to improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, protect critical national infrastructure, boost counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster responses to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the restructuring will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, involving the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026. The second phase, which includes the establishment of the 83 Division and additional restructuring, is expected to be concluded by December 2026.
The statement added that the newly structured Army formations will comprise the 1 Division in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 5 Division in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 6 Division in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 9 Division in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; 81 Division in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; 82 Division in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States; and 83 Division in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
President Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication and service to the nation. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting the lives and property of its citizens.
