By Cross Udo, Abuja
In a major overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture amid persistent insecurity across the country, President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen military operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The Presidency said the creation of four new army divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City is aimed at improving command and control, decentralising military operations and ensuring quicker response to emerging security threats nationwide.
The approval, announced in a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, comes as security agencies intensify efforts to curb violent attacks that have continued to claim lives and displace communities across several parts of the country.
According to the Presidency, the latest expansion represents one of the Tinubu administration’s most ambitious investments in the Armed Forces and reinforces its determination to strengthen national defence.
“The approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further,” the statement said.
The government said the expansion builds on ongoing reforms within the military, including the acquisition of critical combat platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, force modernisation and enhanced operational readiness.
*New formations in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, Benin to tackle insecurity
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will now operate 12 divisions strategically spread across the country.
The newly created 5 Division will be headquartered in Makurdi, covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while the 9 Division in Ilorin will oversee Kwara and Niger States.
The 10 Division, based in Jalingo, will cover Taraba and Adamawa States, while the newly established 83 Division in Benin City will take responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
Existing divisions in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos and Enugu will retain their current operational responsibilities.
The Presidency said the restructuring would significantly improve operational efficiency by bringing military command structures closer to conflict-prone areas.
“The establishment of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will 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 statement added.
The implementation of the expanded force structure will be carried out in two phases.
According to the Presidency, the first phase, involving the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.
The second phase, which includes the establishment of the 83 Division and further restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
The approval also covers the recruitment of 28,000 additional soldiers, one of the largest military enlistments in recent years, aimed at boosting troop strength and enhancing the Army’s capacity to confront multiple security challenges across the federation.
Nigeria has continued to grapple with insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, recurring attacks in the North-Central, separatist violence in the South-East and oil-related crimes in the Niger Delta, placing enormous pressure on security forces.
Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their commitment to defending the country’s territorial integrity despite the complex security environment.
He also pledged sustained government support to improve the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces.
“The President 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 nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians,” the statement said.
The latest approval signals a significant shift in the Federal Government’s military strategy, with increased manpower, expanded command structures and enhanced deployment expected to strengthen ongoing operations against criminal and terrorist groups across the country.
