Tinubu approves expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 divisions, authorises 28,000 recruits
pannigeriannews
2 min read
By Isaiah Adewole
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture and improving military operational effectiveness.
The approval was announced in a State House press release issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the Presidency, the restructuring is part of the Tinubu administration’s broader efforts to enhance national defence through increased manpower, improved troop welfare, force modernisation, and the acquisition of critical military equipment.
”President Bola Ahmed Tinubu… has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions—a landmark move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army,” the statement read.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions across the country. The four new divisions are 5 Division, Makurdi; 9 Division, Ilorin; 10 Division, Jalingo; and 83 Division, Benin City, while existing formations will be reorganised to improve operational efficiency.
The Presidency said the establishment of the new divisions would improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military responses to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will take place in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5 Division in Makurdi, 9 Division in Ilorin, and 10 Division in Jalingo, alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City and further restructuring, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
Under the new deployment, the Army’s 12 divisions will be headquartered in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Ilorin, Jalingo, Lagos, Enugu and Benin City, with each division responsible for designated states across the federation.
The Presidency said the expansion builds on the administration’s investments in the Armed Forces, including the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and sustained support for operational readiness and force modernisation.
President Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Presidency added, “The President reaffirmed his Administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.”
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