President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces across the country.
The approval was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled, “President Tinubu approves expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 divisions, recruitment of 28,000 personnel to strengthen national security.”
According to the Presidency, the expansion reflects Tinubu’s commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to tackle the country’s evolving security challenges and enhance national defence capabilities.
The statement noted that the decision builds on the administration’s sustained investments in the military, including the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and continued support for operational readiness and force modernisation.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country. The existing divisions include 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; 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; 81 Division in Lagos, covering Lagos and Ogun states; and 82 Division in Enugu, covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
The newly approved divisions include the 5 Division in Makurdi, covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states; 9 Division in Ilorin, covering Kwara and Niger states; 10 Division in Jalingo, covering Taraba and Adamawa states; and 83 Division in Benin City, covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
The Presidency said the establishment of the new divisions would improve command and control, decentralise operational decision making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure quicker military response to emerging threats nationwide.
“The establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide,” the statement read.
It added that implementation of the new force structure would 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 expected to be completed by September 2026, while the second phase, covering the establishment of the 83 Division and further restructuring, will be concluded by December 2026.
President Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for what he described as their dedication, professionalism and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The President reaffirmed his Administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians,” the statement added.
