President Bola Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its operational structure from eight to 12 divisions and authorising the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
The decision, announced on Thursday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, is aimed at improving the Army’s operational effectiveness, enhancing command structures, and boosting Nigeria’s capacity to tackle evolving security threats.
According to the statement, the expanded force structure forms part of the Tinubu administration’s broader investment in the Armed Forces, which also includes the acquisition of military platforms and equipment, improved troop welfare, enhanced operational readiness, and continued force modernisation.
Under the new arrangement, four additional divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City, bringing the total number of Nigerian Army divisions to 12.
The revised deployment places the divisions as follows:
- 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.
The presidency said the establishment of the new divisions would improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and enable faster military responses to emerging threats across the country.
Implementation of the new force structure will take place in two phases.
The first phase, covering the creation 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 further restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu described the expansion as part of his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture and ensuring the Armed Forces are better equipped to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their professionalism, dedication and continued service to the nation.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces, saying efforts would continue to ensure personnel remain well-equipped, motivated and capable of protecting Nigerians and responding effectively to security challenges nationwide.
