Nigerian Army expansion to boost security and economic growth

Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, has announced an expansion of the Nigerian Army to increase its operational footprint and responsiveness to security threats. Speaking at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State, Shaibu stated that the establishment of new formations and units is intended to strengthen the military presence in vulnerable areas and protect critical national infrastructure.

The expansion aims to create a secure environment necessary for economic growth, specifically targeting the ‘Orange Economy’—which includes arts, culture, music, film, and digital content. Shaibu emphasized that national security is directly linked to sustainable development, noting that insecurity disrupts investment, restricts mobility, and undermines productivity. By denying terrorists and criminal elements freedom of action, the expanded force structure is expected to support entrepreneurship and various other economic sectors.