President Bola Tinubu has approved a major restructuring of the Nigerian Army, increasing its formations from eight to 12 divisions while approving the enlistment of 28,000 new personnel to reinforce the country’s security operations.
The development was announced on Thursday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The Presidency said the initiative is designed to enhance the Army’s operational strength, improve command efficiency and bolster Nigeria’s capacity to tackle emerging security threats.
“This approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the approval is part of the administration’s wider investment in the Armed Forces, which includes expanding manpower, procuring modern military hardware, improving soldiers’ welfare and advancing the modernisation of the military.
As part of the reorganisation, four new divisions will be created in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, bringing the total number of Nigerian Army divisions to 12.
The Presidency said the additional divisions will “significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.”
The expansion will be implemented in two stages. The first phase, involving the creation of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and the restructuring of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026. The second phase, which includes establishing the 83 Division and carrying out further reorganisation, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
