Tinubu Approves Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions, Orders Recruitment of 28,000 Personnel

President Bola Tinubu has approved a major restructuring of the Nigerian Army, authorising the expansion of its operational structure from eight to twelve divisions in what the Presidency describes as one of the most significant reforms of the country’s military architecture in recent years.

The approval, announced in a State House statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of broader efforts to strengthen national security, improve military readiness and enhance the Armed Forces ability to respond to evolving security threats across the country.

According to the Presidency, the expansion reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to reinforcing Nigeria’s defence capabilities through sustained investments in personnel, equipment, troop welfare and operational effectiveness.

The new force structure will increase the Nigerian Army’s operational commands to twelve divisions strategically distributed across the federation. Under the approved arrangement, the existing 1 Division will continue to oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states from its headquarters in Kaduna, while 2 Division in Ibadan will retain responsibility for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. 3 Division headquartered in Jos will continue to cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states, while 6 Division in Port Harcourt will oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

The existing 7 Division will remain in Maiduguri with responsibility for Borno and Yobe states, 8 Division will continue to operate from Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, 81 Division headquartered in Lagos will oversee Lagos and Ogun states, while 82 Division in Enugu will retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.

As part of the restructuring, four additional divisions will be established to improve military coverage across the country. The new 5 Division will be headquartered in Makurdi and will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states. 9 Division will be located in Ilorin with operational responsibility for Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division will be based in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa states. A new 83 Division will also be established in Benin City to oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

The Presidency said the creation of the additional divisions is expected to significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure and improve the military’s capacity to tackle insurgency, banditry, terrorism and other internal security threats.

It also noted that the expanded structure would enable faster deployment of troops and quicker responses to emerging security challenges in different parts of the country.

Implementation of the restructuring will be carried out in two phases. According to the statement, the first phase, which includes the establishment of the 5 Division in Makurdi, 9 Division in Ilorin and 10 Division in Jalingo, alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.

The second phase, which will include the establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City and additional organisational adjustments, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.

The Presidency said the latest approval builds on previous investments by the Tinubu administration in the Armed Forces, including the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare and continued support for force modernisation and operational readiness.

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 what he described as their professionalism, resilience and unwavering commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity despite persistent security challenges.

He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated and fully capable of safeguarding the country, protecting lives and property, and preserving Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

The expansion represents one of the most extensive reorganisations of the Nigerian Army in recent years and is expected to play a central role in the Federal Government’s broader strategy to strengthen national security and improve military effectiveness across the federation.