By Eshioromeh Sebastian
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major reorganisation of the Nigerian Army, expanding its structure from eight to twelve divisions and authorising the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel.
The approval, announced in a State House press release on Thursday, is described as “a landmark move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.”
According to the statement, the expansion “builds on the Administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces,” which include the acquisition of critical military platforms, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for force modernisation.
President Tinubu, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, said the restructuring underscores his “unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.”
Under the new structure, divisions will be spread across the country, with new headquarters established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City.
The statement noted that the establishment of these new divisions “will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.”
The implementation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.
The second phase, which includes the creation of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinugu 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.”
The President reaffirmed his Administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, stating they must remain “adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.”
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