President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
The Presidency said the restructuring is aimed at decentralising military command, improving border security and enabling faster responses to security threats across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the government announced that four new divisional headquarters will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army’s divisions will be deployed as follows:
- 1 Division, Kaduna: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa.
- 2 Division, Ibadan: Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo.
- 3 Division, Jos: Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe.
- 5 Division, Makurdi: Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi.
- 6 Division, Port Harcourt: Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
- 7 Division, Maiduguri: Borno and Yobe.
- 8 Division, Sokoto: Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara.
- 9 Division, Ilorin: Kwara and Niger.
- 10 Division, Jalingo: Taraba and Adamawa.
- 81 Division, Lagos: Lagos and Ogun.
- 82 Division, Enugu: Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo.
- 83 Division, Benin City: Edo, Delta and Bayelsa.
According to the Presidency, the additional commands will strengthen command and control, improve operational decision-making, enhance counter-insurgency and internal security operations, reinforce border security and boost rapid military deployment.
The implementation will be carried out in two phases.
The first phase, which covers the establishment of the 5th, 9th and 10th Divisions alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.
The second phase, involving the creation of the 83 Division and further restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
The expansion is supported by the recruitment of 28,000 new military personnel and forms part of a wider security investment that includes the acquisition of military equipment, improved troop welfare, enhanced operational readiness and continued force modernisation.
The statement added, “Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers for their dedication and professionalism.”
The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the Armed Forces remain well-equipped, motivated and capable of protecting the country’s territorial integrity and citizens.
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