President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel in what the Presidency described as a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
The approval was announced in a State House statement issued on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the decision “underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.”
The Presidency said the expansion forms part of the Tinubu administration’s sustained investment in the Armed Forces.
“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 force structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions strategically positioned across the country. The existing divisions in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos and Enugu will be complemented by four new divisions to be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.
Explaining the rationale for the expansion, the Presidency said the new divisions would “significantly 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 ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.”
The implementation of the new 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, will be completed by September 2026,” the statement said.
It added that “the second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.”
President Tinubu also praised the leadership and personnel of the Nigerian Army for their service to the country.
According to the statement, the President commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their “dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the military, declaring its determination “to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.”
The Presidency said the expanded force structure is expected to improve operational efficiency, strengthen national defence, and enhance the military’s ability to respond swiftly to security threats across the country.