President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 28,000 additional soldiers and the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions as part of efforts to strengthen security across the country.
The approval was announced on Thursday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the Presidency, the decision is aimed at improving the Army’s operational capacity, tackling growing security challenges and strengthening the country’s defence system.
The government said the expansion is part of a wider military modernisation programme that also includes the purchase of military equipment, improved welfare for soldiers and increased support for military operations.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions across the country:
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.
5 Division Headquarters, Makurdi – Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
6 Division Headquarters, Port Harcourt – Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
7 Division Headquarters, Maiduguri – Borno and Yobe states.
8 Division Headquarters, Sokoto – Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
9 Division Headquarters, Ilorin – Kwara and Niger states.
10 Division Headquarters, Jalingo – Taraba and Adamawa states.
81 Division Headquarters, Lagos – Lagos and Ogun states.
82 Division Headquarters, Enugu – Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
83 Division Headquarters, Benin City – Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
The Presidency said the creation of new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City would improve military command and control, strengthen border security, protect critical national infrastructure and enable faster responses to security threats.
It added that the new formations would also support counter-insurgency operations and other internal security efforts across the country.
According to Onanuga, the implementation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, involving the establishment of the divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin and Jalingo, along with 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 restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their commitment and professionalism.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing the Armed Forces with the resources needed to improve national security and protect the country’s sovereignty and citizens.
