President Bola Tinubu has approved an expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel.
The restructuring is intended to increase the military’s capacity to respond to insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflict and other security threats affecting different parts of the country. New divisions are planned for Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.
According to the announced timetable, three of the divisions are expected to become operational by September 2026, while the Benin City-based division is scheduled to follow by December. The federal government also plans additional investment in equipment, troop welfare and operational readiness.
Why this matters
The expansion represents a significant change in Nigeria’s defence structure, but its impact will depend on more than personnel numbers. Recruitment standards, training, intelligence, civilian protection, equipment and accountability will determine whether the new divisions improve security outcomes.
For citizens and Nigerians abroad, the key questions will be whether the restructuring leads to measurable reductions in violent crime, better protection of vulnerable communities and clearer public reporting on security performance.
Source: Reuters, July 24, 2026.