Tinubu approves expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 divisions, recruits 28,000 personnel

President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

The approval was announced in a statement on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, the expansion is aimed at improving the Army’s operational effectiveness, strengthening national defence and enhancing its capacity to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The Presidency said the decision builds on the administration’s continued investment in the Armed Forces, including the acquisition of military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, operational readiness and force modernisation.

Under the new structure, the Army will operate 12 divisions across the country. Four new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Benin State; Ilorin, Kwara State; Jalingo, Taraba State; and Benin City, Edo State, while the existing divisions will continue to operate from Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos and Enugu.

The government said the new divisions would improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure and boost counter-insurgency and internal security operations.

Implementation of the new force structure 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, while the second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication and professionalism.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, motivated and capable of protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and safeguarding lives and property.