Tinubu Expands Nigerian Army to Twelve Divisions

President Bola Tinubu has initiated a significant restructuring of the Nigerian Army by expanding its divisions from eight to twelve, a move aimed at decentralizing command, enhancing security, and improving response times to threats. This reform includes the establishment of four new divisional headquarters in Makurdi (5 Division), Ilorin (9 Division), Jalingo (10 Division), and Benin City (83 Division), joining existing commands in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos, and Enugu.

The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who termed it a “landmark” step. Additionally, President Tinubu approved the recruitment of 28,000 personnel to ensure these new commands are operational.

The implementation will occur in two phases, with the first phase, covering the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions, expected to be completed by September 2026, and the second phase, establishing the 83 Division, anticipated by December 2026. This restructuring aims to provide better protection for critical infrastructure and enhance military response to emerging threats.