Tinubu Approves Major Nigerian Army Expansion, Orders Creation of 12 Divisions, Recruitment of 28,000 Personnel
By Peace Erewunmi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its operational structure from eight to 12 divisions and authorising the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen the country’s security architecture. The approval is part of a broader effort to improve the military’s capacity to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.
According to a statement by the Presidency, the restructuring will involve the establishment of four new divisions with headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State; Ilorin, Kwara State; Jalingo, Taraba State; and Benin City, Edo State. The expansion is expected to improve command and control, enhance operational effectiveness and strengthen the military’s presence across strategic parts of the country.
The implementation of the new force structure will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of some divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026, while the second phase is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
The Presidency stated that the additional recruitment and expansion underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, strengthen border security, protect critical national infrastructure and improve counter-insurgency operations.
The approval is regarded as one of the most significant military reforms in recent years and is expected to boost the Nigerian Army’s manpower, operational reach and overall capacity to respond more effectively to security threats across the country.
