President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its operational structure from eight to 12 divisions and authorizing the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
The approval was announced in a State House press release issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the statement, the expansion is aimed at improving the Army’s command and control, decentralizing operational decision-making, and enhancing response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
“This approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further,” the release stated.
The expansion builds on the administration’s ongoing investments in the military, including the procurement of critical platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and support for force modernization.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically positioned across the country:
1. 1 Division– Kaduna: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa
2. 2 Division– Ibadan: Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo
3. 3 Division – Jos: Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe
4. 5 Division – Makurdi: Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi (New)
5. 6 Division– Port Harcourt: Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River
6. 7 Division – Maiduguri: Borno, Yobe
7. 8 Division – Sokoto: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara
8. 9 Division – Ilorin: Kwara, Niger (New)
9. 10 Division – Jalingo: Taraba, Adamawa (New)
10. 81 Division – Lagos: Lagos, Ogun
11. 82 Division – Enugu: Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo
12. 83 Division – Benin City: Edo, Delta, Bayelsa (New)
The establishment of new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City is expected to strengthen border security, improve protection of critical national infrastructure, enhance counter-insurgency operations, and ensure faster military response nationwide.
The restructuring will be implemented in two phases.
Phase 1, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganization of existing formations, is to be completed by September 2026.
Phase 2, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganization, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers for their dedication and professionalism in defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, motivated, and capable of guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
