President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel in a major move aimed at strengthening national security and enhancing the military’s operational capacity across the country.
The approval, announced in a State House press release on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, is part of the administration’s broader efforts to modernise the Armed Forces and improve Nigeria’s response to evolving security challenges.
According to the statement, the restructuring is expected to enhance command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, improve border security, protect critical national infrastructure, and strengthen counter-insurgency as well as other internal security operations.
The expansion also builds on the Federal Government’s ongoing investments in the Armed Forces, including the acquisition of military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and sustained support for operational readiness and force modernisation.
New Nigerian Army Divisions
Under the approved structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country:
1 Division Headquarters – Kaduna: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
2 Division Headquarters – Ibadan: Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.
3 Division Headquarters – Jos: Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
5 Division Headquarters – Makurdi: Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
6 Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt: Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
7 Division Headquarters – Maiduguri: Borno and Yobe states.
8 Division Headquarters – Sokoto: Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
9 Division Headquarters – Ilorin: Kwara and Niger states.
10 Division Headquarters – Jalingo: Taraba and Adamawa states.
81 Division Headquarters – Lagos: Lagos and Ogun states.
82 Division Headquarters – Enugu: Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
83 Division Headquarters – Benin City: Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
The Presidency said the creation of new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will improve military coordination, ensure faster responses to emerging security threats, and strengthen security operations nationwide.
Implementation Timeline
The implementation of the new force structure will be carried out in two phases.
The first phase, which includes the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.
The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and additional restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their professionalism, dedication and commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, highly motivated and capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety of all Nigerians.
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