The approval also includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, alongside continued investment in military equipment, troop welfare, operational readiness and force modernisation.
By Mmesoma Onwuka
365Daily – President Bola Tinubu has approved a major restructuring of the Nigerian Army, increasing its operational divisions from eight to twelve as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve the military’s capacity to respond to emerging threats across the country.
The approval also includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, alongside continued investment in military equipment, troop welfare, operational readiness and force modernisation.
According to the Presidency, the expanded structure is designed to enhance command and control, improve border security, protect critical national infrastructure and bolster counter insurgency and internal security operations nationwide.
Under the new arrangement, the Army will maintain headquarters in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos and Enugu, while new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.
The divisions will oversee military operations across designated states, with the new formations expected to bring decision making closer to operational theatres and enable quicker responses to security challenges.
The implementation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, which includes the establishment of the divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin and Jalingo, as well as the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.
The second phase, covering the creation of the Benin City based 83 Division and further restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu said the expansion reflects his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture and ensuring the Armed Forces remain adequately equipped to tackle evolving security threats.
He also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their dedication and service in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue supporting the military through improved funding, modern equipment and enhanced welfare for personnel.