Nigeria President Bola Tinubu Expands Army by 28,000 Troops

President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel for the Nigerian Army and the creation of four new divisional headquarters in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City. The expansion, the largest in recent years, is intended to strengthen operations against banditry, terrorism and other security threats across the country, especially in the north.

The Tinubu/Dikko Again 2027 Women and Youth Center praised the move as a decisive step toward restoring peace and safeguarding lives and property. Retired army generals, including Brig Gen George Emdin (retd.) and Brig Gen Bashir Adewinbi (retd.), welcomed the decision, noting it would improve operational effectiveness, reduce unemployment and enhance the army’s capacity to confront insecurity.

The plan is part of a broader security and social protection agenda that includes a $3.05 billion package of programmes such as NG‑CARES, SOLID and HOPE, aimed at supporting displaced persons and building human‑capital opportunities.