Tinubu Steps Up War Against Insecurity, Expands Army to 12 Divisions

…Approves 28,000 Fresh Troops as FG Moves to Strengthen War Against Insecurity Nationwide

By Abu Adamu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel in what is being described as one of the most significant military reforms in recent years aimed at taking the war against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other security threats to a new level.

The far-reaching decision, announced Thursday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, is expected to strengthen the country’s security architecture, improve command and control, enhance border security and boost the military’s capacity for rapid response to emerging threats across the federation.

The Presidency said the expansion reflects President Tinubu’s determination to equip the Armed Forces with the manpower, structure and operational capability required to confront Nigeria’s evolving security challenges more effectively.

According to the statement, the approval forms part of the administration’s broader investment in the Armed Forces, which includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional soldiers, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improved troop welfare, and sustained support for operational readiness and force modernisation.

Under the new force structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically spread across the country.

The existing formations include the 1 Division in Kaduna, covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states; 2 Division in Ibadan, responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states; 3 Division in Jos, covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe; 6 Division in Port Harcourt, responsible for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River; 7 Division in Maiduguri, covering Borno and Yobe; 8 Division in Sokoto, responsible for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara; 81 Division in Lagos, covering Lagos and Ogun; and 82 Division in Enugu, responsible for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.

Four new divisions will now be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

The new 5 Division in Makurdi will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states; the 9 Division in Ilorin will cover Kwara and Niger states; the 10 Division in Jalingo will be responsible for Taraba and Adamawa states; while the new 83 Division in Benin City will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

The Presidency said the additional divisions would decentralise operational decision-making, improve command efficiency, strengthen border protection, safeguard critical national infrastructure, enhance counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and enable quicker deployment of troops to security flashpoints.

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

President Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for what he described as their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully prepared to protect lives, secure the nation’s borders, and confront security threats across the country.