Tinubu Approves Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions, 28,000 New Personnel

By Ene Rebecca

July 24, 2026

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

The approval was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the Presidency, the expansion is intended to improve the Army’s operational effectiveness and enhance the country’s ability to respond to evolving security challenges.

Under the new structure, four additional divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, while existing divisions in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos and Enugu will remain in operation.

The Presidency said the expanded structure would strengthen command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, improve border security and protect critical national infrastructure. It is also expected to support counter-insurgency operations and facilitate faster responses to emerging security threats across the country.

Implementation of the restructuring will take place in two phases. The first phase, which includes the establishment of the 5 Division in Makurdi, 9 Division in Ilorin and 10 Division in Jalingo, as well as the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.

President Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their dedication and commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continued investment in the Armed Forces, including military equipment, troop welfare, operational readiness and force modernisation.