Tinubu Restructures Nigerian Army, Adds 28,000 Troops

President Bola Tinubu has approved a significant restructuring of the Nigerian Army, which includes the creation of four additional divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 new personnel. This expansion increases the Army's operational divisions from eight to twelve, aimed at improving military efficiency, decentralizing command structures, and enhancing rapid responses to security threats across Nigeria.

The announcement was made on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. The restructuring is part of broader military reforms under the Tinubu administration, which includes increased manpower, improved welfare packages, and acquisition of advanced military hardware.

Four new divisional headquarters will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City. The implementation will occur in two phases, with the first phase scheduled for completion by September 2026 and the second phase by December 2026.

President Tinubu commended Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu and the Army personnel for their efforts.