President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its divisions from eight to 12 and authorising the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s fight against insecurity.
The approval, announced by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s defence capabilities, modernise the military and enhance its response to emerging security threats across the country.
According to the Presidency, four new Army divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, bringing the total number of divisions to 12.
New Nigerian Army Division Structure
Under the new arrangement, the Army divisions will be located as follows:
- 1 Division – Kaduna: Covers Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States.
- 2 Division – Ibadan: Covers Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.
- 3 Division – Jos: Covers Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.
- 5 Division – Makurdi: Covers Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States.
- 6 Division – Port Harcourt: Covers Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
- 7 Division – Maiduguri: Covers Borno and Yobe States.
- 8 Division – Sokoto: Covers Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
- 9 Division – Ilorin: Covers Kwara and Niger States.
- 10 Division – Jalingo: Covers Taraba and Adamawa States.
- 81 Division – Lagos: Covers Lagos and Ogun States.
- 82 Division – Enugu: Covers Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
- 83 Division – Benin City: Covers Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
The Presidency said the new divisions are expected to improve command and control, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, boost counter-insurgency operations and ensure quicker military responses to security threats nationwide.
The implementation 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 creation of the 83 Division in Benin City and further restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu also approved the recruitment of 28,000 new soldiers, describing it as part of his administration’s commitment to strengthening the Armed Forces through increased manpower, improved troop welfare, acquisition of modern military equipment and enhanced operational readiness.
He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Security Experts Welcome the Move
Reacting to the announcement, security experts described the decision as a positive and long-overdue step that could significantly improve the Army’s operational effectiveness.
Former Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (Rtd.), praised the approval but stressed that adequate funding and logistics would be crucial for its success.
“Generally, I think it’s a welcome development. We have to commend the President for taking such a bold step. This is long overdue,” he said.
He noted that recruiting 28,000 soldiers would also require significant investment in accommodation, equipment and other essential facilities.
Also speaking, Kabir Adamu, Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, said expanding the Army’s presence across the country would strengthen security operations.
However, he warned that increasing troop numbers alone would not solve Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to him, government must also tackle the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, poor border security, drug abuse, environmental challenges and the growing number of out-of-school children.
Lawan, Groups Commend Tinubu
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmad Lawan, praised the President’s decision, describing it as a strategic move that would improve military response time and strengthen Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
“With this expansion, the Commander-in-Chief has demonstrated that he is not just a listening leader, but a thinking leader,” Lawan said.
He added that the recruitment of 28,000 young Nigerians would also create employment opportunities while improving national security.
The decision was also welcomed by several organisations, including the Gamji Association of Nigeria (GAMA), the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ).
The groups described the approval as a major boost to Nigeria’s security architecture, expressing optimism that the additional divisions would improve peace, protect lives and property, and strengthen military operations across the country.
