Tinubu Approves Expansion Of Nigerian Army To 12 Divisions, Recruitment Of 28,000 Personnel

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve the military’s operational capacity.

The approval, announced by the Presidency, is aimed at enhancing the country’s security architecture, improving command efficiency and boosting the Armed Forces’ ability to respond to evolving security challenges across Nigeria.

The expansion forms part of the Tinubu administration’s broader investment in the military, which includes the acquisition of modern equipment, improved troop welfare, enhanced operational readiness and the continued modernisation of the Armed Forces.

Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country:

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

According to the Presidency, the establishment of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will strengthen command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, improve border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure and boost counter-insurgency as well as internal security operations.

The new structure is also expected to improve the military’s response time to emerging security threats across the country.

Implementation of the restructuring will be carried out 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, which includes the establishment of the 83 Division and additional restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their professionalism, dedication and commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, highly motivated and fully prepared to protect the country and guarantee the safety of all Nigerians.