President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture and improve military operations nationwide.
The Presidency disclosed the approval in a statement, describing it as part of the administration’s continued investment in the Armed Forces through personnel recruitment, acquisition of military equipment, improved troop welfare, operational readiness and force modernisation.
According to the statement, the expansion is aimed at enhancing the Army’s capacity to respond more effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges while strengthening national defence.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country. The divisions include:
- 1 Division Headquarters, Kaduna – covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
- 2 Division Headquarters, Ibadan – covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.
- 3 Division Headquarters, Jos – covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
- 5 Division Headquarters, Makurdi – covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
- 6 Division Headquarters, Port Harcourt – covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
- 7 Division Headquarters, Maiduguri – covering Borno and Yobe states.
- 8 Division Headquarters, Sokoto – covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
- 9 Division Headquarters, Ilorin – covering Kwara and Niger states.
- 10 Division Headquarters, Jalingo – covering Taraba and Adamawa states.
- 81 Division Headquarters, Lagos – covering Lagos and Ogun states.
- 82 Division Headquarters, Enugu – covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
- 83 Division Headquarters, Benin City – covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
The Presidency said the creation of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City is expected to 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 responses to emerging threats across the country.
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 reorganisation, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continued investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain adequately equipped, well-motivated and capable of safeguarding the nation’s security.
