President Tinubu Approves Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions, Authorises Recruitment of 28,000 Personnel
ABUJA, Nigeria July 23, 2026 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its operational structure from eight to twelve divisions and authorising the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel in what the Federal Government describes as a significant step toward strengthening national security and improving military readiness across the country.
The approval forms part of the administration's broader efforts to modernise the Armed Forces, improve operational efficiency, and enhance Nigeria's capacity to respond to emerging security threats, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and cross-border crimes.
Army Expansion to Strengthen National Security
According to the State House, the expansion represents one of the most significant military restructuring initiatives in recent years.
The Federal Government said the new force structure is designed to:
- Improve command and control across military formations.
- Decentralise operational decision-making.
- Strengthen border security.
- Enhance protection of critical national infrastructure.
- Improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations.
- Enable faster military responses to emerging security threats nationwide.
Officials noted that the restructuring reflects President Tinubu's commitment to equipping the Armed Forces with the manpower, organisation and resources required to address Nigeria's evolving security challenges.
28,000 Additional Soldiers Approved
Beyond the organisational expansion, President Tinubu approved the recruitment of 28,000 new military personnel to strengthen the Army's operational capacity.
The recruitment will support:
- Increased troop deployment.
- Enhanced operational readiness.
- Improved force rotation.
- Better territorial coverage.
- Long-term military modernisation.
The approval also complements ongoing government investments in:
- Acquisition of modern military platforms and equipment.
- Improvement of troop welfare.
- Training and operational readiness.
- Defence infrastructure development.
Nigerian Army to Operate 12 Divisions
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will consist of 12 divisions strategically positioned across the country:
| Division | Headquarters | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Division | Kaduna | 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 (New) | 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 (New Headquarters) | Ilorin | Kwara and Niger States |
| 10 Division (New Headquarters) | Jalingo | Taraba and Adamawa States |
| 81 Division | Lagos | Lagos and Ogun States |
| 82 Division | Enugu | Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States |
| 83 Division (New Headquarters) | Benin City | Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States |
The creation of new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City is expected to improve military presence in strategic regions and strengthen coordination with existing formations.
Implementation to Be Completed in Two Phases
The Federal Government disclosed that implementation of the new force structure will occur in two phases.
Phase One (Completion Target: September 2026)
This phase includes:
- Establishment of the 5 Division in Makurdi.
- Establishment of the 9 Division in Ilorin.
- Establishment of the 10 Division in Jalingo.
- Reorganisation of existing military formations.
Phase Two (Completion Target: December 2026)
The second phase will focus on:
- Establishment of the 83 Division Headquarters in Benin City.
- Additional restructuring of operational formations.
- Full integration of the expanded command structure.
President Commends Nigerian Army
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their professionalism, dedication and commitment to safeguarding Nigeria's sovereignty.
He reaffirmed his administration's determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain:
- Adequately equipped.
- Professionally trained.
- Highly motivated.
- Operationally prepared to protect the nation.
What the Expansion Means
Security analysts say the expansion could improve the military's ability to respond more rapidly to multiple security challenges occurring simultaneously across different regions.
The additional divisions are expected to:
- Reduce operational pressure on existing formations.
- Improve regional military coordination.
- Strengthen border surveillance.
- Enhance intelligence-driven operations.
- Improve protection of strategic national assets.
- Support ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations.
However, experts note that the effectiveness of the restructuring will depend on sustained funding, timely recruitment, modern equipment, continuous training and effective intelligence gathering.
AfreecanImage News Analysis
The planned expansion of the Nigerian Army represents one of the most ambitious military restructuring initiatives in recent years. By increasing the number of divisions and approving the recruitment of 28,000 personnel, the Federal Government aims to strengthen national defence, improve operational efficiency and address persistent security challenges across the country. While the new structure could significantly enhance military deployment and response capabilities, its long-term success will depend on effective implementation, sustained investment in personnel and equipment, and continued collaboration among the nation's security agencies.
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