Tinubu Approves Nigerian Army Expansion to 12 Divisions
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, to strengthen national security and improve operational effectiveness.
The landmark decision, announced in a State House press release on 23 July 2026, underscores the administration’s commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges and enhance national defence capabilities.
The new structure will see the Army operate twelve divisions strategically positioned across the country. Headquarters will be located in Kaduna (1 Division), Ibadan (2 Division), Jos (3 Division), Makurdi (5 Division), Port Harcourt (6 Division), Maiduguri (7 Division), Sokoto (8 Division), Ilorin (9 Division), Jalingo (10 Division), Lagos (81 Division), Enugu (82 Division), and Benin City (83 Division).
The establishment of new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City is intended to improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military responses to emerging threats.
Implementation will occur in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5th, 9th and 10th Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026. The second phase, involving the creation of the 83rd Division and further reorganisation, is expected by December 2026.
The expansion builds on the administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He reaffirmed the administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces so they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated and fully capable of protecting the nation.
