Tinubu Approves Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions, Creates Four New Commands
By Tams Jonah, ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major restructuring of the Nigerian Army with the expansion of its operational structure from eight to twelve divisions, creating four new divisions aimed at strengthening national security, improving command efficiency, and enhancing rapid military response across the country.
The approval, announced in a State House press release, marks one of the most significant reorganisations of the Nigerian Army in recent years and is expected to bolster the Armed Forces’ capacity to tackle evolving security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, border security, and the protection of critical national infrastructure.
Central to the restructuring is the establishment of four new divisions located in Makurdi, Benue State (5 Division); Ilorin, Kwara State (9 Division); Jalingo, Taraba State (10 Division); and Benin City, Edo State (83 Division). The new formations are expected to decentralise operational decision-making, improve command and control, and enable quicker deployment of troops to emerging security hotspots.
Under the new force structure, the Nigerian Army will now operate twelve divisions strategically distributed across the country. The existing divisions include 1 Division Kaduna, 2 Division Ibadan, 3 Division Jos, 6 Division Port Harcourt, 7 Division Maiduguri, 8 Division Sokoto, 81 Division Lagos, and 82 Division Enugu, while the newly created 5, 9, 10, and 83 Divisions will extend military coverage to additional strategic regions.
According to the Presidency, the 5 Division in Makurdi will oversee military operations across Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi States, while the 9 Division in Ilorin will be responsible for Kwara and Niger States. The 10 Division in Jalingo will cover Taraba and Adamawa States, and the 83 Division in Benin City will supervise operations in Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States.
The Federal Government said the expansion reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture through sustained investment in the Armed Forces. Beyond the creation of the new divisions, the President also approved the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to increase the Army’s manpower and operational capacity.
The administration has also continued investments in the acquisition of military platforms and equipment, troop welfare, force modernisation, and operational readiness to ensure the Armed Forces remain capable of responding to contemporary security threats.
Implementation of the expanded force structure will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, which includes 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, involving the establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City and additional structural adjustments, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
