Tinubu approves expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 divisions, orders recruitment of 28,000 personnel
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major restructuring of the Nigerian Army, expanding its operational structure from eight to 12 divisions while approving the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to bolster the nation’s security capabilities.
The landmark decision, announced in a State House statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, aims to decentralize command structures, improve military response times, and counter evolving internal and external security threats across the country.
According to the presidency, the expansion builds on ongoing federal investments in military modernization, platform acquisitions, and improved welfare for troops.
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Under the newly approved framework, four new division headquarters will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City. The expanded 12 divisions will cover specific operational zones across Nigeria.
1 Division (HQ: Kaduna) – Coverage: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States
2 Division (HQ: Ibadan) – Coverage: Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States
3 Division (HQ: Jos) – Coverage: Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe States
5 Division (HQ: Makurdi) – Coverage: Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi States (New)
6 Division (HQ: Port Harcourt) – Coverage: Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States
7 Division (HQ: Maiduguri) – Coverage: Borno and Yobe States
8 Division (HQ: Sokoto) – Coverage: Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States
9 Division (HQ: Ilorin) – Coverage: Kwara and Niger States (New)
10 Division (HQ: Jalingo) – Coverage: Taraba and Adamawa States (New)
81 Division (HQ: Lagos) – Coverage: Lagos and Ogun States
82 Division (HQ: Enugu) – Coverage: Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo States
83 Division (HQ: Benin City) – Coverage: Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States (New)
The federal government confirmed that the implementation of the expanded force structure will proceed in two distinct phases.
Phase One, scheduled for completion by September 2026, will focus on setting up the 5, 9, and 10 divisions while reorganizing existing formations. Phase Two, which involves fully establishing the 83 division in Benin City alongside further structural adjustments, is set for completion by December 2026.
The presidency stated that the creation of the new operational zones will significantly boost border security, strengthen the protection of critical national infrastructure, and refine ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
President Tinubu praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their dedication to maintaining the country’s territorial integrity, reiterating his administration’s commitment to prioritizing military readiness and troop motivation.
