President Bola Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its structure from eight to twelve divisions as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
The approval also includes the recruitment of 20,000 additional personnel to boost the Army’s operational capacity.
In a statement on Thursday, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the move is aimed at improving Nigeria’s security architecture and enhancing the military’s ability to respond to evolving threats.
Under the new structure, the Army will operate twelve divisions across the country, with headquarters in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Ilorin, Jalingo, Lagos, Enugu, and Benin City.
According to the presidency, the creation of new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City will strengthen command and control, decentralize decision-making, improve border security, and enable faster responses to security challenges.
Implementation will take place in two phases. The first phase, covering new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, and Jalingo, along with restructuring of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026. The second phase, which includes the Benin City division, will be finalized by December 2026.
Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and members of the Nigerian Army for their service, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to safeguard the country.
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