The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorising the recruitment of 28,000 young Nigerians into the force.
President Tinubu approved the restructuring on Thursday as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, Senator Lawan described the decision as a strategic step towards enhancing the military’s capacity to tackle insecurity across the country.
The former Senate President said the evolving nature of modern warfare requires not only advanced weaponry but also increased manpower, wider operational coverage and greater tactical flexibility.
He said the President’s approval demonstrates a commitment to addressing the nation’s security challenges through long-term reforms.
Lawan noted that the creation of four additional army divisions would strengthen military presence in vulnerable and ungoverned areas, reduce response times to security threats and improve the effectiveness of ongoing counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations.
He also described the recruitment of 28,000 personnel as a significant boost to national defence while creating employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
“The injection of thousands of young Nigerians into the Nigerian Army will not only reinforce the country’s defence capabilities but also provide meaningful employment and help steer many youths away from crime and extremism,” he said.
According to the lawmaker, the initiative aligns with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects the government’s commitment to sustainable security sector reforms.
He expressed confidence that sustained investment in the armed forces would contribute significantly to restoring peace and stability across the country.
Lawan also offered prayers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation, expressing hope for lasting security and national development.
Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate 12 divisions strategically located across the country. They include 1 Division, Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States); 2 Division, Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States); 3 Division, Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States); 5 Division, Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States); 6 Division, Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States); 7 Division, Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe States); 8 Division, Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States); 9 Division, Ilorin (Kwara and Niger States); 10 Division, Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa States); 81 Division, Lagos (Lagos and Ogun States); 82 Division, Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States); and 83 Division, Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States).
The establishment of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City is expected to improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats across the country.
