\n\n
President Bola Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its structure from eight to 12 divisions as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture. The approval also includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional military personnel to improve the Army’s operational capacity in tackling evolving security threats nationwide.
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, four new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City. The Presidency said the restructuring is expected to enhance command and control, improve border security, protect critical national infrastructure, and boost counter-insurgency and internal security operations across the country.
The implementation will be carried out in two phases, with the first phase scheduled for completion by September 2026 and the second by December 2026. President 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 dedication and service, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to modernising the Armed Forces and improving troop welfare.
