Tinubu approves expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions

New divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, Benin City to be set up by Dec 2026

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major restructuring of the Nigerian Army, expanding its operational divisions from 8 to 12 in what the Presidency calls a landmark move to strengthen national security.

The announcement was made Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

—Why the expansion—

According to Onanuga, the move is aimed at enhancing the Army’s operational effectiveness and improving response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The expansion builds on other recent investments including:

– Approval for recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel
– Acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment
– Improved troop welfare
– Ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation

—Full List of the 12 Army Divisions—

1. 1 Division Headquarters – Kaduna | Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa
2. 2 Division Headquarters – Ibadan | Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo
3. 3 Division Headquarters – Jos | Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe
4. 5 Division Headquarters – Makurdi | Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi _New_
5. 6 Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt | Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River
6. 7 Division Headquarters – Maiduguri | Borno, Yobe
7. 8 Division Headquarters – Sokoto | Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara
8. 9 Division Headquarters – Ilorin | Kwara, Niger [New]
9. 10 Division Headquarters – Jalingo | Taraba, Adamawa [New]
10. 81 Division Headquarters – Lagos | Lagos, Ogun
11. 82 Division Headquarters – Enugu | Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo
12. 83 Division Headquarters – Benin City | Edo, Delta, Bayelsa  [New]

—Implementation Timeline—

Onanuga said the rollout will happen in two phases:

Phase 1 – By September 2026: Establishment of 5, 9, and 10 Divisions + reorganisation of existing formations
Phase 2 – By December 2026: Establishment of 83 Division + further reorganisation

The Presidency said the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will improve command and control, decentralise operational decisions, strengthen border security, protect critical infrastructure, and enable faster response to threats nationwide.

—Tinubu’s message—

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers for their dedication to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the Armed Forces remain “adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation.”