July 24, 2026 | Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its structure from 8 divisions to 12 and authorizing the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel.
The announcement was made on Friday by Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, as the federal government moves to strengthen its response to persistent security threats across the country.
*Four New Divisions*
Under the new structure, four additional divisions will be established in:
– *Makurdi*, Benue State
– *Ilorin*, Kwara State
– *Jalingo*, Taraba State
– *Benin City*, Edo State
The presidency said the expanded 12-division structure will retain headquarters in the existing 8 cities, with the new formations designed to improve coverage in the North-Central, North-East and South-South regions.
*Phased Rollout and Modernization*
According to the presidency, the rollout will be done in two phases. Three of the new divisions are expected to be operational by September 2026.
The government also approved increased investment in equipment procurement, operational readiness, and troop welfare as part of efforts to modernize the armed forces.
*Context: Rising Security Concerns*
The expansion comes amid growing concerns over insecurity and spillover from the Sahel region.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who was in Abuja this week, said “the spillover effects of the crisis in the Sahel are increasingly threatening all coastal states in the region” and reaffirmed Germany’s support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
Security analysts say siting new divisions in Makurdi, Jalingo and Ilorin will bring command structures closer to flashpoints in the Middle Belt, while the Benin City division strengthens presence in the South-South.
The recruitment of 28,000 personnel is expected to significantly boost manpower for ongoing operations against Boko Haram, IS-linked militants, banditry and other violent groups.
Further details on funding, recruitment timelines and deployment plans are expected from the Ministry of Defence in the coming weeks.
