Tinubu Approves Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions, Creates New Makurdi Command

By Johnson Arua

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions in a major overhaul of the nation's military structure aimed at strengthening national security, improving operational efficiency and enhancing the Armed Forces' capacity to tackle evolving security threats.

The President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the development in a statement, describing the approval as a landmark step that underscores the administration's commitment to reinforcing Nigeria's defence architecture and boosting the operational effectiveness of the Army.

Under the new structure, four additional divisions will be established in Makurdi, Benue State; Ilorin, Kwara State; Jalingo, Taraba State; and Benin City, Edo State.

The new 5 Division Headquarters in Makurdi will oversee military operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.

The statement noted that the expansion builds on the Tinubu administration's sustained investment in the Armed Forces, including the recruitment of 28,000 additional military personnel, procurement of critical combat platforms and equipment, improved troop welfare, and continued support for force modernisation and operational readiness.

According to the Presidency, the creation of the new divisions will improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, reinforce counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure quicker military response to emerging threats across the country.

The implementation of the new force structure will be executed in two phases. The first phase, involving the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions as well as the reorganisation of existing formations, is scheduled for completion by September 2026, while the second phase, which includes the establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City and further reorganisation, will be concluded by December 2026.

Under the new arrangement, the Army's divisions will be headquartered in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Ilorin, Jalingo, Lagos, Enugu and Benin City, with each division overseeing designated states to improve operational coordination nationwide.

President Tinubu commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, alongside officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, for their professionalism, dedication and commitment to safeguarding Nigeria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He reaffirmed his administration's resolve to continue investing in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, highly motivated and fully prepared to protect the nation and guarantee the safety of all Nigerians.