Tinubu Expands Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions, Adds 20,000 Soldiers

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorized the recruitment of 20,000 additional personnel to strengthen the country’s security architecture. This decision was announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

The expansion aims to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army, improve command and control, and bolster Nigeria’s capacity to address evolving security challenges. The new structure will include 12 divisions strategically located across various states, including Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Ilorin, Jalingo, Lagos, Enugu, and Benin City.

The establishment of new divisions is expected to improve military command, decentralize decision-making, strengthen border security, and enhance counter-insurgency operations. The implementation will occur in two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by September 2026 and the second phase by December 2026.

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, for the Army's professionalism and dedication.