President Bola Tinubu says the operationalization of new Army formations will strengthen Nigeria’s response to insecurity. The President said the formations would bring troops closer to communities facing security threats. He said the move would also improve the military’s ability to respond quickly when communities come under attack.
Tinubu disclosed this while outlining recent measures by his administration to improve the welfare and operational capacity of the Armed Forces. He said the government was combining increased military presence with better support for personnel and their families.
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New Army Formations to Bring Troops Closer
Tinubu said the Nigerian Army recently operationalised new formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun states. According to him, the development would position troops closer to vulnerable communities in the affected areas.
The President said the new formations would strengthen the military’s ability to respond to threats. He also described the arrangement as part of broader efforts to improve Nigeria’s security response.
Recent Army restructuring has expanded the service from eight to 12 divisions. The new structure includes formations in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, alongside existing divisions across the country.
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Tinubu Highlights Faster Military Response
The President said placing troops closer to vulnerable communities should improve response times. He said the military would be better positioned to act when residents face security threats.
The new formations form part of a wider restructuring of the Nigerian Army. The Army has said the restructuring is intended to expand its operational footprint and strengthen command and control.
The Army’s new structure assigns different areas of responsibility to its divisions. For example, 8 Division in Sokoto covers Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, while 2 Division in Ibadan covers Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo.
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Government Accelerates Barracks Construction
Tinubu also disclosed that the Federal Government was accelerating the construction of new barracks and depots.
He said projects were being fast-tracked in Abuja, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Kogi. According to the President, the construction of facilities in Osun had already been completed.
The President linked the infrastructure projects to the welfare of military personnel. He said the government must provide stronger support as it demands more from officers and soldiers.
The welfare measures come alongside wider investments in the Armed Forces. The administration has also approved additional recruitment and other measures aimed at improving military readiness.
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Tinubu Says Military Families Also Make Sacrifices
Tinubu said the government’s support for the Armed Forces should extend beyond personnel. He noted that military deployments also affect the families of officers and soldiers.
According to the President, families share in the sacrifices made by military personnel. He therefore said government support should recognise the challenges faced by families while their relatives serve.
Tinubu said the recent increase in military pay was already making a difference. He said servicemen and women had shared feedback about the impact of the pay increase on their lives and families.
The Federal Government has previously announced significant increases in military pay. The changes formed part of broader measures aimed at improving the welfare of members of the Armed Forces.
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New Army Structure Covers Several States
The Nigerian Army’s expanded structure now has 12 divisions with different areas of responsibility. The arrangement includes divisions in Kaduna, Ibadan, Jos, Makurdi, Port Harcourt and Maiduguri.
Other formations are headquartered in Sokoto, Ilorin, Jalingo, Lagos, Enugu and Benin City. The structure is intended to spread command responsibilities across more locations.
The Army said the changes would improve operational reach and force projection. It also said the restructuring would support faster responses to emerging threats.
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Kebbi Gets Additional Military Formations
The recent operationalisation of formations in Kebbi provides an example of the military’s expanded presence. The Army recently activated the 28 Armoured Brigade and Garrison in Birnin Kebbi.
It also operationalised the 281 Tank Battalion in Yauri and the 381 Artillery Regiment in Kaoje. The Army said the formations would strengthen security operations across Kebbi State and the wider North-West.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the move would expand the Army’s operational footprint. He also linked the development to improved command and control and faster responses to security challenges.
The Army further urged troops to maintain discipline and professionalism. It also stressed cooperation with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders.
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New Formations Part of Wider Army Expansion
The creation of the new formations follows Tinubu’s approval for the Nigerian Army to expand from eight to 12 divisions. The Presidency said the expansion would strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve military effectiveness.
The restructuring also includes a review of the areas covered by existing divisions. The Army said the changes would decentralise operational decision-making and improve responses to internal security threats.
The new divisions include 5 Division in Makurdi, 9 Division in Ilorin and 10 Division in Jalingo. The 83 Division in Benin City is also part of the new structure and is expected to cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa.
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Tinubu Emphasises Military Welfare
The President said operational improvements must go together with better welfare. He argued that military personnel need adequate support as they carry out increasingly demanding duties.
Tinubu said the recent pay increase was intended to improve the lives of servicemen and women. He also said the feedback from personnel suggested that the measure was having an impact.
The President further stressed the importance of supporting military families. He said every deployment represents a sacrifice that extends beyond the individual serving in uniform.
The government has therefore presented military welfare and operational capacity as connected priorities. Both areas form part of the administration’s broader efforts to strengthen the Armed Forces.
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New Barracks and Depots to Support Operations
Tinubu said the construction of new barracks and depots would provide additional support for military operations. The projects are located in Abuja, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Kogi, while Osun has completed its facility.
The projects are intended to improve military infrastructure and support personnel. They also form part of the administration’s wider focus on operational readiness.
The President said government must do more to support troops and their families. He linked the need for additional support to the responsibilities placed on members of the Armed Forces.
The infrastructure projects therefore complement the operational changes announced by the Army. Together, the measures are aimed at improving the military’s capacity and working conditions.
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Army Expansion Targets Security Challenges
The Nigerian Army has said its restructuring is designed to address Nigeria’s changing security environment. The service said the new structure would improve command, control and operational coordination.
The four new divisions were approved as part of the expansion from eight to 12 divisions. The changes also include new areas of responsibility for several existing formations.
The Army has also begun appointing senior officers to lead the new formations. Those appointments are intended to provide leadership as the expanded structure becomes operational.
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Tinubu Says Nigeria Must Support Its Troops
Tinubu said his responsibility as Commander-in-Chief includes ensuring that the Armed Forces have the resources they need. He also said Nigerians must support the families of those serving the country.
The President’s comments came as the military expands its presence in several parts of the country. He said the new formations would help place troops closer to communities facing security threats.
The Army has similarly said the new structure will improve force projection and operational continuity. It expects the changes to support faster military responses across different parts of Nigeria.
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New Army Formations and Military Readiness
The operationalisation of formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun represents one part of the government’s current security measures. Tinubu said the move would bring military personnel closer to vulnerable communities.
The government is also expanding military infrastructure and improving personnel welfare. The President said these measures should help provide stronger support for the Armed Forces.
The Army’s broader restructuring has created four additional divisions. It has also changed the operational responsibilities of existing formations across several states.
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