President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions and authorized the recruitments of an additional 28,000 personnel in what is regarded as one of the most significant military restructuring initiatives in recent years aimed at strengthening national security and enhancing the country’s defence.
The expansion forms part of the Tinubu administration’s broader efforts to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture through sustained investments in personnel, equipment, troop welfare and force modernisation.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday that the approval is a “landmark move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army”.
Onanuga added that the approval reflects the president’s commitment to equipping the armed forces to effectively tackle Nigeria’s changing security challenges and further strengthen the country’s defence capabilities.
Under the new structure, Onanuga said the Nigerian Army will operate 12 Divisions: 1 Division Headquarters, Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states), 2 Division Headquarters, Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states), 3 Division Headquarters, Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states), and 5 Division Headquarters, Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states).
Others are 6 Division Headquarters, Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states) 7 Division Headquarters Headquarters, Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe states), 8 Division Headquarters, Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, and 9 Division Headquarters, Ilorin ( Kwara and Niger states).
It also comprises 10 Division Headquarters, Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa states), 81 Division Headquarters, Lagos and Ogun states), 82 Division Headquarters, Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states) and 83 Division Headquarters, Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states).
“The establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decetemralise operational decision-making, strengthening 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 statement reads.
“Implementation of the new force structure will be done 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 second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
“President Tinubu commenced the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidii Ibrahim Shaibu, all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Onanuga said the President is committed to ensuring the military remains adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the country and guaranteeing the safety and security of Nigerians, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to continue investing in the armed forces.
-9News Nigeria.
