The approval was announced in a statement on Thursday by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the move underscores the administration's commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria's evolving security challenges effectively.
Four New Divisions Established
Under the new structure, four new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, bringing the total number of divisions to 12 across the country.
The new divisions and their areas of responsibility are:
- 5 Division Headquarters – Makurdi: Covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states
- 9 Division Headquarters – Ilorin: Covering Kwara and Niger states
- 10 Division Headquarters – Jalingo: Covering Taraba and Adamawa states
- 83 Division Headquarters – Benin City: Covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states
Existing divisions will continue to operate from Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos and Enugu.
Objectives of the Expansion
According to the Presidency, the establishment of the new divisions will:
- Significantly improve command and control
- Decentralise operational decision-making
- Strengthen border security
- Enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure
- Improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations
- Ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide
"The establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide".
Implementation Timeline
The restructuring will be implemented in two phases.
Phase One: Covering the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026.
Phase Two: Involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further restructuring, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
Broader Military Investment
The expansion builds on the administration's sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including:
- Approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel
- Acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment
- Improvements in troop welfare
- Ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation
The expansion comes as Nigeria grapples with a 17-year-old Islamist insurgency in the northeast, banditry and kidnappings in the northwest, communal violence in the central region, and separatist agitation in the southeast.
President Tinubu praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, highlighting their dedication, professionalism and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He 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.
Despite the ambitious expansion plans, significant challenges remain. Recruiting, training and equipping 28,000 new personnel will require substantial financial resources and time. The Nigerian Army must also address longstanding issues of troop morale, equipment maintenance, and logistical support across its expanded force structure.
Nevertheless, the approval represents one of the most significant reorganisations of the Nigerian Army in recent years and is expected to boost military presence across key regions while strengthening the country's response to insurgency, banditry, terrorism and other security challenges.
With reporting from Reuters, Newswatch, Naija News, Independent Newspaper Nigeria, The Sun Nigeria, Nigeria Info FM, Ripples Nigeria, and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
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