# Nigeria army expansion and pay rise under Tinubu > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-army-expansion-under-tinubu > Updated: 2026-08-25T09:06:07.000Z. Sources: 71. Developments: 9. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s security overhaul continued through 2026. Following the July 2024 approval of a 28,000-troop increase, the army moved toward a twelve-division structure. By late July 2026, the restructuring was formalised with new headquarters in Ilorin, Jalingo, Benin City, and Makurdi. State leaders have responded to these changes; Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba pledged land and facilities for the 10th Division in Jalingo to improve border security, while Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue praised the 5th Division in Makurdi. In Kwara, local leaders welcomed a new battalion in Omu-Aran, and in Edo, advocacy groups commended the establishment of the 83 Division in Benin City for enhancing surveillance in the South-South region. To support this expansion, the government launched the Office of Homeland Security and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Institute of Technology in Kaduna to foster defence self-reliance. While analysts warned that inadequate funding and logistics could hinder combat effectiveness, the reforms were backed by a 5.41 trillion naira defence budget. On 1 September 2026, a new salary structure for approximately 250,000 personnel took effect. The adjustment raised pay by 30% for senior officers, 50% for personnel from colonel to warrant officer, and up to 80% for privates and staff sergeants, increasing the annual wage bill to N924 billion. The Society Security Initiative called the pay rise a “significant morale booster,” and the House Committee on Defence described the overhaul as historic and essential for operational efficiency. The presidency also rejected speculation that the division expansion was linked to any coup plots, maintaining the changes were driven solely by security needs. ## Claims - Officers above the rank of colonel will receive a 30% salary increase. (disputed by 29 sources) - Personnel from colonel down to warrant officer will receive a 50% salary increase. (disputed by 29 sources) - President Bola Tinubu approved a salary increase for Nigerian Armed Forces personnel ranging from 30% to 80% effective 1 September 2026. (corroborated by 29 sources) - The salary increase will benefit about 250,000 military personnel. (corroborated by 29 sources) - Soldiers from private to staff sergeant will receive an 80% salary increase. (corroborated by 29 sources) - The annual wage bill for the armed forces will rise from N660 billion to N924 billion, an increase of N264 billion. (corroborated by 29 sources) - The salary increase is intended to improve troop welfare and support security operations against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism. (corroborated by 29 sources) - Entry‑level base pay of N100,000 will rise to about N180,000. (corroborated by 12 sources) - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the creation of four additional Nigerian Army divisions. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu appointed General Officers Commanding for the new divisions. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The new divisions will commence operations after attaining Initial Operational Capability and will progress to Full Operational Capability. (corroborated by 4 sources) - 1 Division Kaduna is responsible for Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-25: Nigerian Army expands from eight to twelve divisions President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expanded the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions to combat insecurity, establishing new commands in locations including Kwara and Edo states. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerian-army-expands-from-eight-to-twelve-divisions ### 2026-08-07: Nigeria President Tinubu raises military pay and expands army divisions President Tinubu approved 30‑80% pay hikes for 250,000 troops and expanded the army from 8 to 12 divisions, adding four new formations and 28,000 recruits, reforms hailed as morale‑boosting and security‑enhanc​ 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-president-tinubu-expands-army-and-raises-troops-pay ### 2026-08-04: Nigeria's President Tinubu approves up to 80% pay rise for armed forces President Bola Tinubu approved a 30‑80% salary increase for about 250,000 Nigerian troops, raising the annual wage bill to N924 bn and aiming to boost welfare amid security challenges. 38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-president-tinubu-approves-up-to-80-pay-rise-for-250000-military-personnel ### 2026-08-04: Nigeria adds four army divisions to boost fight against insecurity Nigeria creates four new army divisions and a Homeland Security office, while launching a defence technology institute, to strengthen the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-adds-four-army-divisions-to-boost-counterterrorism-effort ### 2026-07-31: President Bola Tinubu Announces New Nigerian Army Divisions to Boost Security President Tinubu unveiled four new Nigerian Army divisions, raising the total to 12 to improve security response, while experts warn of funding and equipment shortfalls. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/president-bola-tinubu-announces-new-nigerian-army-divisions-to-boost-security ### 2026-07-31: Nigeria establishes new army divisions in Taraba and Benue to strengthen security Nigeria adds a 10th Division in Taraba and a 5th Division headquarters in Makurdi, boosting border security and regional response as part of a nationwide army expansion. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-establishes-new-army-divisions-in-taraba-and-benue-to-strengthen-security ### 2026-07-29: Nigeria's President Tinubu approves creation of four new army divisions President Tinubu approved four new Nigerian Army divisions, raising the total to twelve; COAS Waidi Shaibu appointed new GOCs, including Maj Gen Yakubu Yahaya for 9 Division; the Army partnered with GTBank, won 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerian-army-activates-four-new-divisions-appoints-commanders ### 2026-07-26: Nigeria President Bola Tinubu Expands Army by 28,000 Troops President Bola Tinubu approved recruiting 28,000 soldiers and creating four new army divisions, a move praised as boosting Nigeria’s fight against insecurity and creating jobs. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigeria-president-bola-tinubu-expands-army-by-28000-troops ### 2026-07-23: Tinubu Approves Major Expansion of Nigerian Army to 12 Divisions and 28,000 New Troops Tinubu approved expanding Nigeria’s army to 12 divisions, recruiting 28,000 troops and adding new headquarters, backed by a record $4 bn defence budget to curb rising insurgent and bandit attacks. 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/president-bola-tinubu-approves-expansion-of-nigerian-army-to-12-divisions --- Cite as: Nigeria army expansion and pay rise under Tinubu. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nigeria-army-expansion-under-tinubu