Tinubu expands Army to 12 divisions, approves 28,000 recruits

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 additional military personnel.

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This was as the Presidency said the move is designed to decentralise command, strengthen border security and improve response times to emerging threats nationwide.

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In a statement signed Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said the expansion would see four new divisional headquarters established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

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Under the new 12-division structure, Onanuga said the Nigerian Army will be deployed as follows: 1 Division Headquarters in Kaduna, covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states; 2 Division Headquarters in Ibadan, covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states; 3 Division Headquarters in Jos, covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states; 5 Division Headquarters in Makurdi, covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states and 6 Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt, covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

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The structure includes 7 Division Headquarters in Maiduguri, covering Borno and Yobe states; 8 Division Headquarters in Sokoto, covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states; 9 Division Headquarters in Ilorin, covering Kwara and Niger states; and 10 Division Headquarters in Jalingo, covering Taraba and Adamawa states.

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There will also be 81 Division Headquarters in Lagos, covering Lagos and Ogun states; 82 Division Headquarters in Enugu, covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states; and 83 Division Headquarters in Benin City, covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

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The Presidency further revealed that the four new divisional commands would significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, enhance counter-insurgency and internal security operations, strengthen border security and ensure faster military response to emerging threats.

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It said implementation will proceed in two phases.

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The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5th, 9th and 10th Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is to be completed by September 2026.

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The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83rd Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be concluded by December 2026.

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The expansion is backed by a 28,000-personnel recruitment drive and is part of a broader security investment that has also included the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare and sustained support for operational readiness and force modernisation.

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“Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers for their dedication and professionalism,” the statement read.

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Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the Armed Forces remain adequately equipped, motivated and capable of protecting the country.

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