President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security framework and improve military operations nationwide.
The approval was announced in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to enhancing the Armed Forces’ capacity to tackle Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
As part of the initiative, President Tinubu also approved the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, the acquisition of new military equipment and platforms, improved welfare for troops, and continued investment in force modernisation and operational readiness.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate from 12 divisional headquarters across the country. They include:
1 Division – Kaduna (covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states)
2 Division – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states)
3 Division – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states)
5 Division – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states
6 Division – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states)
7 Division – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe states)
8 Division – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states)
9 Division – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger states)
10 Division – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa states)
81 Division – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun states)
82 Division – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states)
83 Division – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states)
According to the Presidency, the creation of 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 and boost counter-insurgency as well as other internal security operations.
The government said the expansion will also enable the military to respond more quickly to emerging security threats across the country.
Implementation of the new force structure will take place in two phases. The first phase, which includes the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026. The second phase, covering the establishment of the 83 Division and additional restructuring, is expected to be completed 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 and dedication 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, motivated and capable of protecting the country and its citizens.
