President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
The Presidency said the initiative is designed to improve the Army’s operational capacity, enhance command and control, and ensure quicker responses to emerging security threats across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the expansion reflects the administration’s commitment to modernising the Armed Forces through increased manpower, improved troop welfare, and the acquisition of military platforms and equipment.
Under the new structure, four additional divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City. The restructuring will be implemented in two phases, with the first expected to be completed by September 2026 and the second by December 2026.
President Tinubu also praised Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ensuring the military remains well-equipped and capable of safeguarding the nation.
