President Tinubu Approves 12-Division Nigerian Army, Orders Recruitment of 28,000 Soldiers

President Bola Tinubu has approved a major restructuring of the Nigerian Army, authorising the expansion of its operational structure to 12 divisions and the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel.

Philips News reports that the move, which was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, is expected to strengthen the military’s capacity to combat insecurity and improve operational effectiveness across the country.

The approval introduces new military formations while reorganising existing ones to ensure wider territorial coverage and faster deployment of troops. The expanded force structure is also expected to improve coordination in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.

Full List of the 12 Nigerian Army Divisions

1. 1 Division – Kaduna
   • Covers Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States
2. 2 Division – Ibadan
   • Covers Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States
3. 3 Division – Jos
   • Covers Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States
4. 5 Division – Makurdi
   • Covers Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States
5. 6 Division – Port Harcourt
   • Covers Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States
6. 7 Division – Maiduguri
   • Covers Borno and Yobe States
7. 8 Division – Sokoto
   • Covers Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States
8. 9 Division – Ilorin
   • Covers Kwara and Niger States
9. 10 Division – Jalingo
   • Covers Taraba and Adamawa States
10. 81 Division – Lagos
    • Covers Lagos and Ogun States
11. 82 Division – Enugu
    • Covers Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States
12. 83 Division – Benin City
    • Covers Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States

The implementation of the expanded force structure will be carried out in two phases. The first phase includes the establishment of the 5 Division (Makurdi), 9 Division (Ilorin) and 10 Division (Jalingo), alongside the reorganisation of existing formations. This phase is scheduled for completion by September 2026.

The second phase will focus on establishing the 83 Division in Benin City and completing additional restructuring within the Army. The entire implementation is expected to be concluded by December 2026.

Meanwhile, PhilipsNews understands that the expansion will also pave the way for the recruitment of 28,000 additional soldiers, significantly increasing the Nigerian Army’s manpower. The new personnel are expected to support military operations nationwide as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to address the country’s security challenges.