President Bola Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, authorizing the creation of four new divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel in one of the country’s most significant military reforms in recent years.
The move will increase the Army’s structure from eight to 12 divisions, a step the Nigerian government says is designed to strengthen national security, improve military command and control, and enhance the country’s ability to respond rapidly to security threats.
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the expansion reflects the administration’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s armed forces and improving their capacity to tackle evolving security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and the protection of critical national infrastructure.
As part of the new structure, the Army will establish additional divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City, while existing divisions across the country will continue to oversee operations in their designated regions.
The government said the restructuring will decentralize operational decision-making, strengthen border security, improve counter-insurgency operations, and enable faster military responses to emerging threats nationwide.
Alongside the structural expansion, President Tinubu approved the recruitment of 28,000 new military personnel, adding to ongoing investments in modern military equipment, operational readiness, and improved welfare for officers and soldiers.
Implementation of the reform will take place in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, and Jalingo, as well as the reorganization of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026. The second phase, including the establishment of the new division in Benin City, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, along with officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their dedication and professionalism in defending the country’s sovereignty.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continued investment in the Armed Forces, emphasizing that a well-equipped and highly motivated military remains essential to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
The expansion comes as Nigeria continues to confront multiple security challenges across different regions, with the government seeking to strengthen the military’s operational capacity and improve national defense.
