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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture and improve the Army’s operational effectiveness.
The approval also includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to boost the Army’s manpower.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to the statement, the expansion forms part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen the Armed Forces through increased personnel, improved troop welfare, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, and continued investment in operational readiness and force modernisation.
Under the new force structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country.
Proposed Divisions
| Divisions | Headquarters | Areas of Responsibility |
| 1 Division | Kaduna | Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States |
| 2 Division | Ibadan | Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States |
| 3 Division | Jos | Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States |
| 5 Division | Makurdi (New) | Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States |
| 6 Division | Port-Harcourt | Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States |
| 7 Division | Maiduguri | Borno and Yobe States |
| 8 Division | Sokoto | Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States |
| 9 Division | Ilorin (New) | Kwara and Niger States |
| 10 Division | Jalingo (New) | Taraba and Adamawa States |
| 81 Division | Lagos | Lagos and Ogun States |
| 82 Division | Enugu | Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States |
| 83 Division | Benin City (New) | Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States |
The statement said the establishment of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City is expected to strengthen command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, enhance border security, improve the protection of critical national infrastructure, reinforce counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure quicker military response to emerging security threats.
Implementation of the new force structure will be carried out in two phases.
The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026, while the second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and additional restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for what he described as their dedication, professionalism and commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continued investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain adequately equipped, motivated and capable of safeguarding the nation’s security.
The expansion marks one of the most significant reorganisations of the Nigerian Army in recent years. It is aimed at improving command efficiency and enhancing military deployment across the country’s six geopolitical zones amid persistent security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and attacks on critical national infrastructure.
