Tinubu Approves Recruitment of 28,000 Soldiers in Sweeping Military Restructuring
President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel into the Nigerian Army as part of a sweeping military restructuring aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other emerging security threats.
The recruitment forms part of a broader overhaul that will expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, a move the Presidency said is designed to improve operational effectiveness, enhance command and control, and boost Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
The approval was announced on Thursday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the restructuring builds on the administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces through force modernisation, improved troop welfare, the acquisition of critical military platforms and enhanced operational readiness.
According to Onanuga, “The approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.”
Under the new force structure, four new divisions will be established, bringing the total number of Army divisions nationwide to 12. The new formations are the 5 Division in Makurdi, covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states; the 9 Division in Ilorin, covering Kwara and Niger states; the 10 Division in Jalingo, responsible for Taraba and Adamawa states; and the 83 Division in Benin City, overseeing Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
The Presidency said the restructuring would significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure and improve counter-insurgency and other internal security operations. It added that the new structure would enable quicker military responses to emerging threats across the country.
Implementation of the restructuring will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, involving the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 divisions alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September, while the second phase, which includes the creation of the 83 Division and additional structural adjustments, is scheduled for completion by December.
President Tinubu also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, as well as officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in the Armed Forces to ensure they remain well-equipped, highly motivated and fully prepared to safeguard the nation’s security.
The latest restructuring represents one of the most significant reorganisations of the Nigerian Army in recent years and is expected to strengthen the military’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to security challenges across the country.