By BONIFACE AKARAH

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, July 23, 2026, approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions—a landmark move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.

According to a statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the approval forms part of the administration's efforts to improve the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces in tackling Nigeria's evolving security challenges. The Presidency said the expansion would complement ongoing investments in troop welfare, military equipment, force modernisation and operational readiness. It added that the additional recruitment would further boost the Army's manpower and defence capabilities.

"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu... has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army's structure from eight to twelve divisions," the statement said, describing the decision as a major step toward strengthening national defence.

Under the new structure, four additional divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, bringing the total number of Army divisions to 12 across the country.

The existing divisions will remain in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos and Enugu, while the new formations will oversee operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi; Kwara and Niger; Taraba and Adamawa; as well as Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states respectively.

"The establishment of the new Divisions... will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, facilitate the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations," the Presidency stated.

The Federal Government said implementation of the new force structure would be carried out in two phases.

The first phase, which includes the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026, while the second phase, involving the creation of the 83 Division and further restructuring, is expected to be completed by December 2026.

"The expansion builds on the Administration's sustained investments in the Armed Forces," the statement added, citing the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and improvements in troop welfare as part of the broader security reforms.

President Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for what he described as their dedication, professionalism and commitment to defending the country's sovereignty.

The President reaffirmed his administration's commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain adequately equipped, motivated and capable of safeguarding Nigeria's territorial integrity and the security of its citizens.

Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country as follows:

1. 1 Division Headquarters – Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States)

2. 2 Division Headquarters – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States)

3. 3 Division Headquarters – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States)

4. 5 Division Headquarters – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States)

5. 6 Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States)

6. 7 Division Headquarters – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe States)

7. 8 Division Headquarters – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States)

8. 9 Division Headquarters – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger States)

9. 10 Division Headquarters – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa States)

10. 81 Division Headquarters – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun States)

11. 82 Division Headquarters – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States)

12. 83 Division Headquarters – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States).

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