President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
The Presidency said the move is aimed at enhancing the Army’s operational effectiveness and improving its capacity to respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to Onanuga, the approval reflects Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening national defence and ensuring the Armed Forces are adequately equipped to tackle emerging security threats.
“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,” the statement said.
The expansion forms part of the administration’s broader investment in the military, including the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improved 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. Four new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City to strengthen command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, improve border security, protect critical national infrastructure, enhance counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster responses to emerging threats.
The restructuring will be implemented 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. The second phase, involving 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 dedication and service to the nation.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated and fully capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting the lives and property of citizens.
Under the new structure, the divisions and their operational areas are:
- 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.
