TD Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its operational structure to 12 divisions and authorizing the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of efforts to strengthen national security and enhance the military’s operational effectiveness across the country.
The approved restructuring is expected to improve the Army’s capacity to respond to security threats, reinforce territorial defence, and enhance rapid deployment capabilities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Full List of the 12 Nigerian Army Divisions
Following the presidential approval, the Nigerian Army’s divisional structure will comprise:
1 Division – Kaduna: Covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
2 Division – Ibadan: Responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.
3 Division – Jos: Covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
5 Division – Makurdi: Responsible for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
6 Division – Port Harcourt: Covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
7 Division – Maiduguri: Responsible for Borno and Yobe states.
8 Division – Sokoto: Covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
9 Division – Ilorin: Responsible for Kwara and Niger states.
10 Division – Jalingo: Covering Taraba and Adamawa states.
81 Division – Lagos: Responsible for Lagos and Ogun states.
82 Division – Enugu: Covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
83 Division – Benin City: Responsible for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
Two-Phase Implementation Plan
According to the approved implementation schedule, the expansion will be carried out in two phases.
The first phase, scheduled for completion by September 2026, includes the establishment of the 5 Division (Makurdi), 9 Division (Ilorin), and 10 Division (Jalingo), alongside the reorganization of existing formations to align with the new operational structure.
The second phase, expected to be completed by December 2026, will focus on the establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City and additional restructuring of Army formations.
Strengthening National Security
The expansion comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to bolster Nigeria’s security architecture in response to persistent challenges including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, and other emerging security threats.
Military analysts say the addition of new divisions and personnel is expected to improve command and control, reduce response times to security incidents, and enhance troop deployment across the country.
The recruitment of 28,000 additional soldiers is also expected to significantly boost the Army’s manpower.
It will also enable it to sustain multiple operations simultaneously while improving coverage in vulnerable regions.
The restructuring represents one of the most significant organizational changes in the Nigerian Army in recent years.
It reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities and improving internal security operations.
