Tinubu expanded the Nigerian Army to 12 divisions, approving the recruitment of 28,000 troops

President Bola Tinubu has approved a major restructuring of the Nigerian Army with the creation of four additional divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 new personnel as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security and defense capabilities.

The agreement increases the Army’s operational divisions from eight to 12, a move the Presidency says will increase military efficiency, decentralize the command structure and enhance rapid response to security threats across the country.

The development was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to Onanuga, the agreement reflects the government’s determination to strengthen the country’s security architecture and equip the Armed Forces to face emerging threats more effectively.

He said the decision “underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to effectively address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges and to further strengthen national defense capabilities.”

The Presidency explained that the expansion is part of broader military reforms that the Tinubu administration has implemented, including increasing the manpower, improving welfare packages, acquiring advanced military hardware and continued investment in operational readiness.

The statement added, “This expansion builds on the government’s ongoing investment in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, enhanced troop well-being, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernization.”

As part of the restructuring, four new divisional headquarters will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City to enhance command and operational effectiveness in their respective areas of responsibility.

According to the Presidency, this new formation is expected to improve military coordination, strengthen border security and speed up responses to domestic security threats.

Onanuga stated, “The creation of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralize operational decision making, strengthen border security, enhance protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure quicker military response to emerging threats nationwide.”

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Implementation of this new structure will be carried out in two stages.

The first phase, which includes the formation of Divisions 5, 9 and 10 as well as the reorganization of existing formations, is scheduled for completion in September 2026.

The second phase will culminate with the creation of Division 83 and additional restructuring in December 2026.

President Tinubu also appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication in safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the military remains “adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the country and ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians.”

Under the new structure, the divisions and areas of responsibility of the Nigerian Army are as follows:

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

This expansion represents one of the most significant reorganizations of the Nigerian Army in recent years and is expected to increase military presence in key areas while strengthening the country’s response to insurgency, banditry, terrorism and other security challenges.