President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's security architecture and improve the military's operational capacity.

The approval, announced in a State House press release on Thursday, also includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel and continued investments in military equipment, troop welfare and force modernisation.

According to the Presidency, the expansion reflects the administration's commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address emerging security challenges across the country.

"This approval underscores the President's unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria's evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further," the statement said.

Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions across the country:

1. **1 Division Headquarters, Kaduna** – Covers Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States.

2. **2 Division Headquarters, Ibadan** – Covers Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.

3. **3 Division Headquarters, Jos** – Covers Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.

4. **5 Division Headquarters, Makurdi** – Covers Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States.

5. **6 Division Headquarters, Port Harcourt** – Covers Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

6. **7 Division Headquarters, Maiduguri** – Covers Borno and Yobe States.

7. **8 Division Headquarters, Sokoto** – Covers Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.

8. **9 Division Headquarters, Ilorin** – Covers Kwara and Niger States.

9. **10 Division Headquarters, Jalingo** – Covers Taraba and Adamawa States.

10. **81 Division Headquarters, Lagos** – Covers Lagos and Ogun States.

11. **82 Division Headquarters, Enugu** – Covers Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.

12. **83 Division Headquarters, Benin City** – Covers Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.

The Presidency said the creation of the new divisions is expected to improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security and enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure.

It added that the expansion would also improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations while enabling faster military responses to emerging threats nationwide.

Implementation of the new force structure will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, which covers the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further restructuring, is expected to be completed by December 2026.

President Tinubu also approved the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of broader efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army's manpower and operational readiness.

The President commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their service and commitment to national security.

"The President reaffirmed his Administration's determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians," the statement added.

The announcement was contained in a press release signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on July 23, 2026.