President Bola Tinubu has approved plans to expand the Nigerian Army from eight divisions to twelve, with recruitment of 28,000 new personnel set to strengthen the nation's defence capabilities.
The restructuring aims to bolster security across the country and boost operational effectiveness in tackling evolving threats. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the move reflects the administration's commitment to modernising the Armed Forces.
The expansion builds on recent military investments, including equipment purchases, improved troop welfare, and force modernisation programmes. Twelve divisions will be strategically spread across the nation under the new structure.
The 1st Division, headquartered in Kaduna, will cover Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states. The 2nd Division in Ibadan oversees Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states.
The 3rd Division operates from Jos across Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe states. The 5th Division, based in Makurdi, covers Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi states.
Port Harcourt hosts the 6th Division, managing Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states. The 7th Division in Maiduguri oversees Borno and Yobe states.
Sokoto's 8th Division covers Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states. The 9th Division in Ilorin manages Kwara and Niger states.
Jalingo's 10th Division covers Taraba and Adamawa states. The 81st Division, headquartered in Lagos, oversees Lagos and Ogun states.
Enugu's 82nd Division manages Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo states. The 83rd Division in Benin City covers Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa states.
New divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City will strengthen command structures and decentralise military decision-making. The changes will also boost border security and protect critical infrastructure.
Implementation happens in two phases. The first phase, concluding by September 2026, covers establishing the 5th, 9th, and 10th Divisions plus reorganising existing formations.
The second phase, finishing by December 2026, involves setting up the 83rd Division.
President Tinubu praised Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu and military personnel for their service. He pledged his administration remains committed to equipping the Armed Forces for national security.
