Retired senior military officers have expressed mixed reactions to the Federal Government’s plan to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions, warning that gaps in funding, personnel, and equipment could weaken the initiative.
President Bola Tinubu recently approved the creation of four new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 personnel, as part of efforts to strengthen security and improve response to threats nationwide.
While the former military chiefs described the move as strategic, they cautioned that existing divisions must first be adequately resourced.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.), said the expansion was “a step in the right direction” but stressed the need to equip current formations with sufficient personnel, logistics, and equipment before adding new ones.
Similarly, former Air Force spokesperson Group Capt. Sadiq Shehu (retd.) questioned the readiness of the military for such expansion, noting that many units are already overstretched due to ongoing security challenges across the country. He warned that without meeting standard operational requirements for manpower and equipment, new divisions may struggle to function effectively.
Shehu also raised concerns about the timeline, which targets operational rollout of three new divisions by September 2026 and another by December, describing it as unrealistic. He added that the planned recruitment may be insufficient, as a single division typically requires up to 20,000 personnel.
Despite the concerns, retired Major General Anthony Atolagbe described the expansion as a bold and necessary restructuring, arguing that it would close critical gaps in military coverage, particularly in the central regions of the country.
Nigeria has faced persistent security threats, including insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and communal violence in the central belt, prompting calls for stronger military presence and faster response capabilities.
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