President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the creation of four new Nigerian Army divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 additional soldiers in a major overhaul of the country’s military structure aimed at strengthening national security and improving the Armed Forces’ operational effectiveness.
The approval expands the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, marking one of the most significant military reforms under the Tinubu administration.
The development was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who described the move as a strategic step towards enhancing the country’s defence capabilities amid evolving security threats.
According to the Presidency, the expansion is designed to improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, protect critical national infrastructure and enable faster military responses to insurgency, banditry, terrorism and other emerging security challenges.
The statement said the restructuring builds on the administration’s sustained investment in the Armed Forces through the acquisition of military platforms and equipment, improved troop welfare, enhanced operational readiness and ongoing force modernisation.
Under the new arrangement, the Nigerian Army will now operate 12 divisions across the country, with four new formations established in Makurdi (5 Division), Ilorin (9 Division), Jalingo (10 Division) and Benin City (83 Division).
The existing divisions remain 1 Division, Kaduna; 2 Division, Ibadan; 3 Division, Jos; 6 Division, Port Harcourt; 7 Division, Maiduguri; 8 Division, Sokoto; 81 Division, Lagos; and 82 Division, Enugu.
According to the Presidency, the implementation of the new force structure will be carried out in phases. The first phase, which covers the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026, while the second phase, involving the creation of the 83 Division and additional restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.
“President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Onanuga stated.
The presidential spokesman added that the President reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue strengthening the Armed Forces through sustained investments.
“The President reaffirmed his Administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians,” the statement added.
New Army Divisions and Areas of Responsibility
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army divisions will cover the following areas:
- 1 Division, Kaduna: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
- 2 Division, Ibadan: Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.
- 3 Division, Jos: Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
- 5 Division, Makurdi: Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
- 6 Division, Port Harcourt: Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
- 7 Division, Maiduguri: Borno and Yobe states.
- 8 Division, Sokoto: Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
- 9 Division, Ilorin: Kwara and Niger states.
- 10 Division, Jalingo: Taraba and Adamawa states.
- 81 Division, Lagos: Lagos and Ogun states.
- 82 Division, Enugu: Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
- 83 Division, Benin City: Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
The Presidency said the restructuring is expected to significantly enhance the Nigerian Army’s capacity to respond swiftly to security threats while strengthening territorial defence and internal security operations across the country.
