Tinubu Expands Nigerian Army After Failed Coup Attempt

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the expansion of the Nigerian Army by four additional divisions, increasing the total from eight to twelve. This decision follows an extensive security review prompted by the failed coup plot in September 2025.

Senior military officers indicated that these reforms aim to fortify constitutional order and make future unconstitutional takeovers more challenging. The expansion will also involve recruiting an additional 28,000 personnel.

A senior military intelligence operative revealed that intelligence assessments post-coup plot significantly influenced these reforms, emphasizing the need to enhance the military's operational capabilities. Another officer from the Nigerian Air Force noted that military leaders were alarmed by the coup attempt and have since devised strategies to prevent any future attempts to undermine a democratically elected government.

The government believes that public reactions to the coup plot indicated a lack of widespread resistance to unconstitutional changes, reinforcing the necessity for stronger preventive measures.