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Tinubu Approves 28,000-Troop Expansion to 12 Divisions

7/24/2026

32 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved expanding Nigeria's army from eight to 12 divisions and adding 28,000 troops.
Division headquarters will be in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.
Phase one will make 5th, 9th and 10th divisions operational by September 2026.
Phase two will bring 83rd Division online by December 2026.
Presidency said restructure will improve command, decentralise decisions, strengthen border security and speed response.

History

Historical Context

After seizing power on 29 July 1975, General Murtala Muhammed cut the army from 250,000 to 150,000 troops and reshaped command structures to quell post-civil-war unrest. His decentralisation inspired President Bola Tinubu’s 2024 proposal to raise divisions from eight to twelve and add 28,000 soldiers, echoing the 1970s effort to improve frontier national security.

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Story summary

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved expanding Nigeria's army from eight to 12 divisions and adding 28,000 troops.
Division headquarters will be in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.
Phase one will make 5th, 9th and 10th divisions operational by September 2026.
Phase two will bring 83rd Division online by December 2026.
Presidency said restructure will improve command, decentralise decisions, strengthen border security and speed response.

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