Tinubu Approves Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions

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

The Presidency announced the decision on Thursday, describing it as a significant step towards improving the Army’s ability to tackle the nation’s growing security challenges and enhance national defence.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the approval reflects his administration’s commitment to ensuring the Armed Forces are better equipped to protect lives and safeguard the country’s territorial integrity.

According to the statement, the military expansion forms part of a broader programme aimed at modernising the Armed Forces through increased manpower, acquisition of advanced military equipment, improved troop welfare and enhanced operational readiness.

“The expansion builds on the administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation,” the statement said.

Under the new arrangement, four additional divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City. The Presidency said the move would improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making and enable quicker responses to security threats across the country.

It added that the new formations would also strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure and improve counter-insurgency as well as other internal security operations.

The restructuring will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions alongside 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 also 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 sacrifices in defending the nation.

He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated and capable of protecting Nigeria and its citizens.

New Nigerian Army Divisions and Areas of Responsibility

1 Division (Kaduna): Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa.

2 Division (Ibadan): Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo.

3 Division (Jos): Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe.

5 Division (Makurdi): Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi.

6 Division (Port Harcourt): Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

7 Division (Maiduguri): Borno and Yobe.

8 Division (Sokoto): Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.

9 Division (Ilorin): Kwara and Niger.

10 Division (Jalingo): Taraba and Adamawa.

81 Division (Lagos): Lagos and Ogun.

82 Division (Enugu): Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo.

83 Division (Benin City): Edo, Delta and Bayelsa.

The latest military expansion is one of the most significant structural reforms approved by the Tinubu administration and is expected to strengthen the Army’s capacity to respond swiftly to insurgency, banditry, terrorism and other security threats across Nigeria.