The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has said the ongoing expansion of the Nigerian Army to 12 divisions will strengthen national security, improve responses to emerging threats and contribute to economic growth.
Shaibu said the establishment of additional formations and units was designed to expand the Army’s operational footprint, increase its presence in vulnerable areas and enhance its capacity to tackle security challenges across the country.
The COAS made this known on Tuesday while delivering a lecture titled, “Safeguarding the Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development: The Role of the Nigerian Army,” to participants of Senior Executive Course 48, 2026, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.
He said the expanded force structure would strengthen the protection of communities, critical national infrastructure and economic activities, while limiting the freedom of action of terrorists and other criminal elements.
According to him, the Nigerian Army’s role in national development extends beyond countering security threats, as sustained military operations help create the stability needed for businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and creative professionals to thrive.
A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, quoted Shaibu as describing the Orange Economy — which includes the arts, culture, music, film and digital content — as an increasingly important driver of employment, investment, cultural diplomacy and national development.
The COAS noted that Nigeria’s creative talents continued to project the country’s image globally while creating opportunities for wealth generation beyond traditional sectors of the economy.
He stressed that creativity and entrepreneurship could only flourish in an environment of peace and security, noting that insecurity disrupts economic activities, restricts mobility, discourages investment and undermines productivity.
Shaibu called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, the private sector and stakeholders in the creative industry, stressing that security was a collective responsibility.
He further underscored the strong link between national security and sustainable economic development, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to creating a secure environment that supports investment, entrepreneurship and sustainable national development.
