President Tinubu Approves Nigerian Army Expansion to 12 Divisions and 28,000 New Recruits

President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional military personnel as part of a national strategy to overhaul the country’s security architecture.

The reorganization aims to decentralize military command, strengthen border security, and drastically improve response times to emerging security threats across the country.

Under the approved structure, four new divisional headquarters will be established in Makurdi (5 Division), Ilorin (9 Division), Jalingo (10 Division), and Benin City (83 Division). The existing operational zones will also be adjusted across the remaining eight divisions based in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos, and Enugu to cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The restructuring exercise will be executed in two distinct phases throughout 2026. The first phase, involving the establishment of the 5th, 9th, and 10th Divisions along with initial re-organizations, is slated for completion by September 2026. The second phase, focusing on the establishment of the 83rd Division in Benin City and final operational adjustments, will be concluded by December 2026.

The expansion will be supported by an immediate recruitment drive to enlist 28,000 new military personnel into the service. This manpower boost forms part of broader defense investments aimed at acquiring modern military platforms, improving troop welfare, and supporting operational readiness across all tactical zones.

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers for their ongoing dedication, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to keeping the Armed Forces fully equipped and motivated to protect the nation.