Tinubu approves expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 divisions to bolster national security

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s operational structure from eight to twelve divisions, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture and enhancing the military’s capacity to respond to emerging threats across the federation.

The approval, announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to modernise the Armed Forces and improve national defence capabilities.

According to the statement, the expansion reflects the administration’s commitment to equipping the Nigerian Army to tackle evolving security challenges while improving command efficiency and operational effectiveness nationwide.

The restructuring builds on recent government investments in the Armed Forces, including the approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional military personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improved welfare packages for troops, and sustained support for operational readiness and force modernisation.

Under the new arrangement, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country.

The divisions include 1 Division in Kaduna, covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states; 2 Division in Ibadan for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states; 3 Division in Jos overseeing Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states; and the newly established 5 Division in Makurdi, which will cover Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.

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Other formations include 6 Division in Port Harcourt for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states; 7 Division in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe states; 8 Division in Sokoto for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states; and the new 9 Division in Ilorin, responsible for Kwara and Niger states.

The new 10 Division will be headquartered in Jalingo and oversee Taraba and Adamawa states, while 81 Division in Lagos will retain responsibility for Lagos and Ogun states. 82 Division, based in Enugu, will cover Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states, while the newly created 83 Division in Benin City will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

The Presidency said the creation of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City is expected to improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and enable faster military responses to security threats.

Implementation of the new force structure will be carried out in two phases.

The first phase, which includes the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026.

The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and additional restructuring, is expected to be concluded 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 reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, highly motivated and capable of safeguarding the nation and protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.