Tinubu Approves Four New Army Divisions, 28,000 Troop Recruitment

Under the new structure, the Army will establish four additional divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, while existing divisions will continue to oversee military operations across their designated areas of responsibility.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel in a major push to strengthen the country's security architecture.

The Presidency said the decision is aimed at improving the Army's operational effectiveness, enhancing national defence, and enabling a faster response to security threats across the country.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the expansion forms part of the administration's broader investment in the Armed Forces, which includes the acquisition of military hardware, improved troop welfare, force modernisation, and enhanced operational readiness.

Under the new structure, the Army will establish four additional divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, while existing divisions will continue to oversee military operations across their designated areas of responsibility.

The Presidency said the new formations would strengthen command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, improve border security, protect critical national infrastructure, and bolster counter-insurgency and internal security operations nationwide.

Implementation will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the Makurdi, Ilorin and Jalingo divisions alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026. The second phase, which includes the Benin City division and further restructuring, is expected to be completed by December 2026.

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and personnel of the Nigerian Army for their professionalism and dedication to safeguarding Nigeria's sovereignty.

He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, highly motivated and capable of addressing the country's evolving security challenges.