President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve the military’s operational effectiveness.
The approval, announced in a State House press release issued on Thursday, July 23, 2026, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, marks one of the most significant military restructuring initiatives under the Tinubu administration.
According to the Presidency, the decision reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing the capacity of the Armed Forces to effectively tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges while reinforcing the nation’s defence capabilities.
The statement noted that the expansion complements the administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including the recruitment of additional personnel, procurement of critical military platforms and equipment, improved troop welfare, and continuous support for operational readiness and force modernisation.
Under the new force structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions strategically located across the country.
The existing formations include the 1 Division Headquarters in Kaduna, covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; the 2 Division Headquarters in Ibadan, responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; the 3 Division Headquarters in Jos, covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; the 6 Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; the 7 Division Headquarters in Maiduguri for Borno and Yobe States; the 8 Division Headquarters in Sokoto, covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; the 81 Division Headquarters in Lagos for Lagos and Ogun States; and the 82 Division Headquarters in Enugu, responsible for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
The newly approved divisions include the 5 Division Headquarters in Makurdi, which will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; the 9 Division Headquarters in Ilorin for Kwara and Niger States; the 10 Division Headquarters in Jalingo, covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and the 83 Division Headquarters in Benin City, which will have responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
The Presidency said the establishment of the four new divisions would 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 responses to emerging security threats across the country.
Implementation of the new military structure will be carried out in two phases with the first phase, involving the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026.
The second phase, which includes the establishment of the 83 Division and further restructuring, is expected to be concluded 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 dedication, professionalism and exceptional dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated and fully prepared to protect the nation and guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerians.
