Tinubu Approves Army Expansion, 20,000 Recruitment

President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions and authorised the recruitment of 20,000 additional personnel to strengthen the country’s security operations.

The approval was announced on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the move is part of efforts to improve the Army’s ability to respond to security threats across the country.

According to the Presidency, the new structure is designed to improve military operations, increase the Army’s presence in different parts of Nigeria and strengthen the country’s defence system. The approval is also aimed at ensuring the Armed Forces are better prepared to tackle the changing security situation nationwide.

Under the new arrangement, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions spread across the country. The headquarters of the divisions will be located in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Ilorin, Jalingo, Lagos, Enugu and Benin City, with each division covering designated states within its area of responsibility.

The new divisions to be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City are expected to improve command and coordination, bring decision-making closer to operational areas, strengthen border security, protect key national assets and support faster responses to insurgency, internal security challenges and other emerging threats.

The implementation of the restructuring will take place in two stages. The first phase, which includes the establishment of the divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin and Jalingo, as well as the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026.

The second phase, which covers the creation of the 83 Division in Benin City and additional restructuring, is expected to be completed by December 2026.

Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their service and commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty.

He assured that his administration would continue to provide the Armed Forces with the resources, equipment and support needed to enable them to safeguard lives, defend the nation’s territorial integrity and maintain security across Nigeria.