By Tracy Moses
President Bola 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 operational capacity of the Armed Forces.
The approval was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the Presidency, the expansion is aimed at improving military command structures, operational efficiency and the Armed Forces’ capacity to respond to emerging security threats across the country.
“This approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further,” the statement said.
The Presidency noted that the decision builds on the Tinubu administration’s sustained investments in the military, including the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improved troop welfare, enhanced operational readiness and the modernisation of the Armed Forces.
As part of the restructuring, four new divisions will be established, increasing the number of Nigerian Army divisions from eight to 12.
The new formations include the 5 Division Headquarters in Makurdi, which will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states; the 9 Division Headquarters in Ilorin, covering Kwara and Niger states; the 10 Division Headquarters in Jalingo, responsible for Taraba and Adamawa states; and the 83 Division Headquarters in Benin City, which will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
The existing divisions are the 1 Division Headquarters in Kaduna, covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states; the 2 Division Headquarters in Ibadan, responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states; the 3 Division Headquarters in Jos, covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states; the 6 Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt, overseeing Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states; the 7 Division Headquarters in Maiduguri, responsible for Borno and Yobe states; the 8 Division Headquarters in Sokoto, covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states; the 81 Division Headquarters in Lagos, responsible for Lagos and Ogun states; and the 82 Division Headquarters in Enugu, overseeing Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
According to the Presidency, the creation of the additional divisions will decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen command and control, enhance border security, improve the protection of critical national infrastructure and boost counter-insurgency as well as other internal security operations.
“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 added.
The implementation of the new force structure will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, involving the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026. The second phase, which includes the establishment of the 83 Division and further restructuring, is scheduled for completion 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 their professionalism, dedication and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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 the country against both internal and external threats.
“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 said.