Security Overhaul: Tinubu Expands Army To 12 Divisions, Approves 28,000 New Recruits

Simisola AdigunJuly 23, 2026

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In a major overhaul of Nigeria’s military structure, 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 boost national security operations.

The Presidency said the restructuring is designed to improve the Army’s command structure, strengthen operational efficiency and enhance its ability to respond to growing security threats across the country.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the approval in a statement on Thursday, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to modernise the Armed Forces through increased manpower, military equipment acquisition, improved troop welfare and enhanced readiness.

“The expansion builds on the administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation”, the statement read.

Under the new arrangement, additional Army divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, with the Presidency saying the move will decentralise operations, improve response time and strengthen counter-insurgency and internal security efforts.

The Nigerian Army’s 12 divisions and their areas of responsibility are:

1 Division Headquarters, Kaduna – Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.

2 Division Headquarters, Ibadan – Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.

3 Division Headquarters, Jos – Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.

5 Division Headquarters, Makurdi – Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.

6 Division Headquarters, Port Harcourt – Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

7 Division Headquarters, Maiduguri – Borno and Yobe states.

8 Division Headquarters, Sokoto – Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

9 Division Headquarters, Ilorin – Kwara and Niger states.

10 Division Headquarters, Jalingo – Taraba and Adamawa states.

81 Division Headquarters, Lagos – Lagos and Ogun states.

82 Division Headquarters, Enugu – Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.

83 Division Headquarters, Benin City – Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

The Presidency said the restructuring will be implemented in two phases, with the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and reorganisation of existing formations scheduled for completion by September 2026, while the 83 Division will be established by December.

Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and Nigerian troops for their service, pledging continued investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain equipped and capable of safeguarding the country.