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 to strengthen the country’s security architecture. The approval was announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the move is aimed at […]
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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 to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
The approval was announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the move is aimed at improving the Army’s operational effectiveness and enhancing its capacity to tackle evolving security threats.
According to the Presidency, the expansion is part of the administration’s continued investment in the Armed Forces, including the recruitment of additional personnel, acquisition of military equipment, improved troop welfare and support for force modernisation.
Under the new structure, four additional divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, bringing the total number of Army divisions across the country to 12.
The Presidency said the new formations will strengthen command and control, improve border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, boost counter-insurgency operations and ensure faster military response to emerging security threats.
Implementation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5th, 9th and 10th Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026, while the second phase, including the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, 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, professionalism and commitment to defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the Armed Forces remain adequately equipped, highly motivated and fully capable of protecting Nigeria and its citizens.
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