BREAKING: Tinubu Approves Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions, Orders Recruitment of 28,000 Soldiers

• President Bola Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel.

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 in a sweeping move aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture.

The approval, announced on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, is expected to significantly improve the Army’s operational effectiveness and enhance its ability to tackle Nigeria’s growing security challenges.

According to the Presidency, the decision reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to equipping the Armed Forces with the manpower, infrastructure and resources needed to safeguard the nation.

“The 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,” Onanuga said.

The expansion forms part of the Federal Government’s broader investment in the military, which includes the recruitment of 28,000 new personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improved troop welfare, enhanced operational readiness and continued force modernisation.

Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically positioned across the country to improve command efficiency and security operations.

The four newly approved divisions will be headquartered in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

According to the Presidency, the additional divisions will decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, improve the protection of critical national infrastructure, boost counter-insurgency operations and ensure faster military response to emerging security threats across Nigeria.

Implementation of the restructuring will be carried out in two phases.

The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5 Division (Makurdi), 9 Division (Ilorin) and 10 Division (Jalingo), alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.

The second phase, which will establish the 83 Division in Benin City and complete the remaining restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.

President Tinubu also praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication and sacrifices in defending the country.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the Armed Forces remain adequately equipped, highly motivated and fully capable of protecting Nigeria and guaranteeing the safety of its citizens.

New Nigerian Army Division Structure

Following the restructuring, the Army divisions and their operational areas will be:

• 1 Division, Kaduna: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States.
• 2 Division, Ibadan: Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.
• 3 Division, Jos: Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.
• 5 Division, Makurdi: Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States.
• 6 Division, Port Harcourt: Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
• 7 Division, Maiduguri: Borno and Yobe States.
• 8 Division, Sokoto: Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
• 9 Division, Ilorin: Kwara and Niger States.
• 10 Division, Jalingo: Taraba and Adamawa States.
• 81 Division, Lagos: Lagos and Ogun States.
• 82 Division, Enugu: Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
• 83 Division, Benin City: Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.