JUST-IN: Tinubu Expands Army Divisions To 12, Okays Recruitment Of 28,000 Soldiers

By Remi Adebayo 

President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions in a landmark move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.

Tinubu also approved the recruitment of additional 28,000 personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation.

According to a statement on Thursday by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.

Onanuga said the expansion builds on the administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces.

Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country.

The expanded divisions include 1 Division with headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; the 2 Division's headquarters remains in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.

Also, 3 Division has its headquarters in Jos for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States, while 5 Division's headquarters is in Makurdi for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States with 6 Division's headquarters in Port Harcourt, covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

For 7 Division, its headquarters is in Maiduguri for Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division has its headquarters in Sokoto and it covers Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States while the 9 Division has its base in Ilorin and covers Kwara and Niger States.

The 10 Division' headquarters is located in Jalingo and supervises Taraba and Adamawa States; 81 Division's Headquarters in Lagos overseas Lagos and Ogun States; 82 Division is based in Enugu with coverage across Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States while 83 Division's headquarters is based in Benin City for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.

Onanuga in the statement said the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making and strengthen border security.

He added that the new Divisions will also  enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.

The statement further disclosed that implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. 

He explained that while the first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026, the second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.

Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The President also 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.