Tinubu Approves Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions, Authorises Recruitment of 28,000 Personnel

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved one of the most significant reforms of Nigeria's military structure in recent years, authorising the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight operational divisions to 12.

The approval also includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional military personnel, a move the Presidency says is designed to strengthen the country's security architecture and improve the Army's operational effectiveness in the face of persistent insecurity.

Four New Divisions to Be Established

According to the Presidency, the expansion will see the creation of four new divisional headquarters in:

• Makurdi (Benue State)

• Ilorin (Kwara State)

• Jalingo (Taraba State)

• Benin City (Edo State)

The restructuring is expected to decentralise military command, improve response times and enhance troop deployment across different regions of the country.

Why the Expansion Matters

Nigeria continues to face multiple security threats, including:

• Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the North-East.

• Bandit attacks and mass kidnappings in the North-West.

• Communal violence in parts of the North-Central.

• Separatist-related insecurity in the South-East.

• Oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.

The Federal Government believes increasing the Army's size and expanding its command structure will improve coordination and allow troops to respond more rapidly to emerging threats nationwide.

More Soldiers, Better Equipment

Beyond recruiting 28,000 personnel, the Presidency said the administration will continue investing in:

• Modern military equipment.

• Improved operational readiness.

• Better welfare for soldiers.

• Force modernisation.

• Protection of critical national infrastructure.

• Enhanced border security.

Officials say the broader military reform is intended to ensure the Armed Forces are better equipped to tackle evolving security challenges across Nigeria.

Rollout in Two Phases

The expansion will be implemented in phases.

According to the Presidency, the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin and Jalingo are expected to become operational by September 2026, while the Benin City division is scheduled to commence operations by December 2026.

Public Reaction

The announcement has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians.

Many welcomed the decision, arguing that increasing troop strength is necessary to confront the country's growing security challenges. Others stressed that military expansion should be accompanied by stronger intelligence gathering, accountability and improved policing to deliver lasting security.

Security analysts also note that while increasing personnel can improve operational capacity, sustained funding, modern equipment and effective coordination with other security agencies will be crucial to achieving the desired results.