Tinubu Approves Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions, Recruitment of 28,000 Personnel

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of an...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel as part of efforts to strengthen the country's security architecture and enhance the operational capacity of the Armed Forces.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the approval is aimed at improving the Nigerian Army's ability to respond to evolving security challenges and reinforce national defence.

The statement said the expansion reflects President Tinubu's commitment to equipping the Armed Forces with the personnel and resources needed to safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It noted that the decision builds on the administration's ongoing investments in the military, including the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and sustained support for operational readiness and force modernisation.

Under the new force structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country. The existing divisions 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.

According to the Presidency, the new divisions are expected to improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, boost counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging security threats nationwide.

The statement explained that the implementation of the new force structure would be carried out in two phases.

"The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions, as well as the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026, while the second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026," the statement said.

President Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for what he described as their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending the nation's sovereignty.

The President reaffirmed his administration's commitment to continued investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully prepared to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.

The approval is expected to further strengthen the Nigerian Army's operational effectiveness and enhance its capacity to tackle security challenges across the country.