President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture and improving the operational effectiveness of the force.
The approval, contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, also covers the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel into the Army.
According to the statement, the expansion underscores Tinubu’s commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges and strengthen national defence capabilities.
It said the move builds on the administration’s sustained investment in the military, including the acquisition of critical platforms and equipment, improved troop welfare, and continued support for operational readiness and force modernisation.
Under the new structure, four additional divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, joining the existing divisions in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos and Enugu.
The newly created 5 Division in Makurdi will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states; the 9 Division in Ilorin will cover Kwara and Niger states; the 10 Division in Jalingo will oversee Taraba and Adamawa states; while the 83 Division in Benin City will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
The statement said the new divisions would improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance protection of critical national infrastructure, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026, while the second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, will be completed by December 2026.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, and officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their professionalism and commitment to defending the country’s sovereignty.
He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped and capable of protecting Nigerians.
