Tinubu Approves Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions, Recruitment of 28,000 Personnel
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
The approval, announced by the Presidency on Thursday, is aimed at improving the Army’s capacity to tackle the country’s evolving security challenges through increased manpower, force restructuring and enhanced operational readiness.
According to the Presidency, the implementation of the new force structure will be carried out in two phases. The first phase involves the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions, alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, and is expected to be completed by September 2026. The second phase will see the establishment of the 83 Division and further restructuring, with completion scheduled for December 2026.
The expansion forms part of the Tinubu administration’s broader investment in the Armed Forces, which includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improved troop welfare, and continued support for force modernisation and operational readiness.
The Presidency said the initiative underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to equipping the Nigerian Army with the capacity required to address contemporary security threats and strengthen national defence capabilities across the country.
