Tinubu approves expansion of Nigerian Army, creates 4 new divisions

President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions in a major restructuring aimed at strengthening the nation’s security architecture and enhancing the Army’s operational effectiveness.
The approval, announced yesterday, is expected to improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, and boost the military’s capacity to respond more swiftly to emerging security threats across the country.
A statement by the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the move underscores the Federal Government’s sustained investment in the Armed Forces, following the approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional military personnel, acquisition of new platforms and equipment, improved troop welfare, and ongoing force modernisation efforts.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically positioned across the country.
The approved formations are:
1 Division Headquarters, Kaduna – covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
2 Division Headquarters, Ibadan – covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.
3 Division Headquarters, Jos – covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
5 Division Headquarters, Makurdi – covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
6 Division Headquarters, Port Harcourt – covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
7 Division Headquarters, Maiduguri – covering Borno and Yobe states.
8 Division Headquarters, Sokoto – covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
9 Division Headquarters, Ilorin – covering Kwara and Niger states.
10 Division Headquarters, Jalingo – covering Taraba and Adamawa states.
81 Division Headquarters, Lagos – covering Lagos and Ogun states.
82 Division Headquarters, Enugu – covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
83 Division Headquarters, Benin City – covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
According to the Presidency, the establishment of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly strengthen military operations by improving command and control, enhancing border security, protecting critical national infrastructure, and reinforcing counter-insurgency as well as internal security operations.
The new formations are also expected to facilitate faster troop deployment and quicker responses to security challenges within their respective areas of responsibility.
Implementation of the restructuring 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 organisational restructuring, is expected to be completed 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 their professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces, pledging continued support to ensure the military remains well-equipped, highly motivated and fully prepared to safeguard the nation’s security and protect the lives and property of Nigerians.