*The Federal Government says approval of the Nigeria Army’s expansion and recruitment of more personnel underscore President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address evolving security challenges effectively, and to strengthen national defence capabilities across the country
Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect
As a measure to strengthen the country’s security system, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s (NA) structure from current eight to 12 divisions.
ConsumerConnect reports the landmark move is aimed at enhancing the West African country’s security architecture, and improving the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
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The Federal Government said the approval underscored President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.
It is also noted that the expansion builds on the current administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical Military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who noted this development in a statement Thursday, July 23, 2026, said under the new structure, the Nigerian Army would operate 12 Divisions, strategically positioned across the country as follows:
- Division Headquarters – Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States)
- Division Headquarters – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States)
- Division Headquarters – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States)
- Division Headquarters – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States)
- Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States)
- Division Headquarters – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe States)
- Division Headquarters – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States)
- Division Headquarters – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger States)
- Division Headquarters – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa States)
- Division Headquarters – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun States)
- Division Headquarters – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States)
- Division Headquarters – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States).
The statement also noted that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City 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 response to emerging threats nationwide.
The Presidential aide stated the implementation of the new force structure would be done in two phases.
The government said the first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, would be completed by September 2026.
The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026, Onanuga stated.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), 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, therefore, 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 country, and guaranteeing the safety, security of all Nigerians.