Tinubu Approves Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions, 28,000 New Recruits

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions as part of efforts to strengthen the country's security architecture and improve military operations.

The approval also includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to boost the Army's capacity to tackle evolving security threats across the country.

A statement issued on Thursday by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the decision forms part of the administration's continued investment in the Armed Forces through increased manpower, acquisition of military equipment, improved troop welfare and force modernisation.

Under the new arrangement, the Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country. Existing formations will remain in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos and Enugu, while four new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

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According to the statement, the new divisions are expected to improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, protect critical national infrastructure and enhance counter-insurgency and internal security operations.

The implementation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5 Division in Makurdi, 9 Division in Ilorin and 10 Division in Jalingo, as well as the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.

The second phase, which includes the establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City and further reorganisation of the Army's structure, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication and professionalism in defending the country's sovereignty.

He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, motivated and capable of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians.