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ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, took further steps to strengthen the nation’s security architecture, approving the immediate recruitment of 28,000 army personnel.
The president also approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the latest decision of the presidency, linking it to renewed vigor to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
The senior media aide to the president noted that the approval underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.
He said under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country as follows: 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), and 83 Division Headquarters – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states).
The presidency also insisted that 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 establishment of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
“Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026,” the statement added.
Tinubu, however, had kind words for the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, highlighting their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
Daily Independent, however, observe that the latest decision of the president comes barely weeks after the United States President, Donald Trump, praised the Nigerian government for deadly feats against terrorist groups making life uncomfortable for many citizens.
Trump in a letter to the Nigerian government pledged to strengthen bilateral ties with Nigeria, especially on military intervention.
