By Faith Chondol
President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 personnel to strengthen national security.
The approval, announced on Thursday 23rd July 2026 in a State House statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, forms part of the administration’s efforts to enhance Nigeria’s defence capabilities amid persistent security challenges.
The Presidency said the expansion would improve the Army’s operational effectiveness, strengthen command and control, decentralise military decision-making, and enable faster responses to emerging security threats across the country.
It said the initiative also builds on ongoing investments in troop welfare, force modernisation, operational readiness, and the acquisition of critical military equipment and platforms.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions across the country. Existing formations will remain in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos and Enugu, while four new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.
According to the Presidency, the new divisions will enhance border security, improve the protection of critical national infrastructure, and strengthen counter-insurgency and internal security operations nationwide.
Implementation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the Makurdi, Ilorin and Jalingo divisions alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026.
The second phase, involving the establishment of the Benin City division and additional restructuring, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
Tinubu said the expansion reflects his administration’s commitment to equipping the Armed Forces with the manpower and resources needed to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
The President also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for what he described as their professionalism, dedication and commitment to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, highly motivated and capable of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians.
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