President Bola Tinubu has approved a major structural expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its active divisions from eight to 12 and authorizing the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel. The initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency, improve military response times, and strengthen the overall national security architecture.
According to a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the restructuring forms part of a broader federal effort to modernize the armed forces. Key investments include acquiring upgraded military hardware, improving troop welfare, and decentralizing command structures to address ongoing internal security and counter-insurgency challenges.
Phase-Based Rollout
The military expansion will be executed in two distinct phases:
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Phase One: Encompasses the creation of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions alongside the reorganization of existing units, with a scheduled completion date of September 2026.
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Phase Two: Focuses on establishing the 83 Division and completing final force realignments by December 2026.
Revised Structure and Regional Headquarters
Under the newly approved command layout, the 12 divisions will operate out of strategically designated hubs to cover specific regions across the country:
| Division | Headquarters | Coverage Area |
| 1 Division | Kaduna | Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa |
| 2 Division | Ibadan | Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo |
| 3 Division | Jos | Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe |
| 5 Division (New) | Makurdi | Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi |
| 6 Division | Port Harcourt | Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River |
| 7 Division | Maiduguri | Borno and Yobe |
| 8 Division | Sokoto | Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara |
| 9 Division (New) | Ilorin | Kwara and Niger |
| 10 Division (New) | Jalingo | Taraba and Adamawa |
| 81 Division | Lagos | Lagos and Ogun |
| 82 Division | Enugu | Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo |
| 83 Division (New) | Benin City | Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa |
Key Strategic Objectives
The administration expects the strategic placement of new division headquarters in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City to yield several operational benefits:
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Decentralized Command: Directs decision-making closer to local conflict zones.
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Infrastructure & Border Security: Increases protection for critical national assets and international borders.
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Faster Response Times: Allows rapid deployment during emerging security threats and active counter-insurgency operations.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, along with active service personnel, reaffirming the administration's ongoing commitment to fully equipping and motivating the armed forces to safeguard the country.