The expansion of Army Divisions

With four additional army divisions to the existing eight, the Nigerian military looks poised to better respond to the security challenges facing the country.

President Bola Tinubu deserves commendation for approving the establishment of these new formations. It is a significant and timely intervention. The Federal Government has demonstrated the readiness to strengthen the operational capacity of the Armed Forces and improve response time to emerging security threats across the country.

The new divisions will reportedly be located in Makurdi, Benue State; Ilorin, Kwara State; Jalingo, Taraba State; and Benin City, Edo State. Tackling the country’s security challenges requires not only courage and commitment from operatives but also a robust institutional framework capable of responding swiftly and effectively.

Military divisions serve as critical operational formations. They enable better command and control, and improve troop deployment. By bringing military formations closer to flashpoints, the government is expected to reduce the time it takes to mobilise troops while improving coordination with other security agencies.

The government’s plan to recruit an additional 28,000 soldiers into the Nigerian Army is also praiseworthy. For years, security experts have argued that the country’s security personnel are grossly inadequate for a population exceeding 200 million people. Increasing the strength of the military will help reduce the pressure on existing personnel, improve troop rotation, and provide the manpower needed to sustain operations in multiple theatres simultaneously.

Likewise, the planned recruitment of 50,000 additional police officers deserves commendation. Internal security is primarily the responsibility of the police, yet the military has increasingly found itself performing policing duties because of the overstretched police. Increasing manpower in both institutions will enhance synergy in the fight against insecurity and gradually restore the police to their constitutional role. The military will also be enabled to focus on its primary responsibility of defending the nation’s territorial integrity.

The approval of improved remuneration for military personnel is another welcome development. Better salaries, allowances and incentives will undoubtedly boost morale, improve productivity, and reinforce the confidence of personnel serving in difficult and dangerous environments.

However, while these initiatives deserve applause, they must not end as policy announcements. The Federal Government must ensure their faithful and timely implementation. Numerous well-intentioned policies have either suffered from poor execution or were abandoned midway. The success of these reforms will ultimately depend on the government’s commitment to providing the necessary resources and sustaining them beyond the initial announcement.

Beyond creating new divisions, attention must also be paid to the existing ones. Many military formations across the country continue to contend with inadequate infrastructure, obsolete equipment, insufficient logistics, poor accommodation and limited welfare packages. Establishing additional divisions without addressing these longstanding deficiencies could merely spread existing resources thinner and reduce operational efficiency.

The Nigerian Armed Forces require state-of-the-art equipment, modern surveillance technology, intelligence capabilities, improved mobility, and enhanced communication systems comparable to what obtains in leading militaries across the world. Contemporary warfare is increasingly driven by technology, intelligence, drones, cyber capabilities and precision operations. Nigeria cannot successfully confront evolving security threats with outdated equipment and insufficient logistics.

The welfare of serving personnel and veterans must equally receive sustained attention. Soldiers and police officers who put their lives on the line deserve decent accommodation, quality healthcare, life insurance, prompt payment of salaries and allowances, opportunities for career advancement, and adequate support for their families.

While applauding the establishment of the four new divisions, we also urge the Federal Government to consider creating an additional division in the South-East. Given the peculiar security challenges confronting the region, a single division appears inadequate to effectively secure the entire zone. An additional division would strengthen military presence, improve operational effectiveness and reassure residents of the government’s commitment to protect life and property.

Furthermore, the recruitment of both soldiers and police officers should reflect the federal character principle to ensure equity, inclusiveness and national confidence. Every region of the country should have a fair opportunity to contribute to the nation’s security institutions. Transparent and merit-based recruitment will also strengthen public trust and promote national cohesion.

Ultimately, defeating insecurity requires more than expanding military formations or increasing personnel strength. Good governance, economic opportunities, quality education, youth employment will keep young people engaged. Intelligence-driven policing, community participation and effective inter-agency collaboration remain indispensable components of lasting peace. Security is best achieved when military strength is complemented by social justice and inclusive development.

President Tinubu’s decision to expand the Nigerian Army’s divisional structure, recruit additional soldiers, improve military pay and strengthen the police represents a positive shift in the nation’s security strategy. These initiatives deserve widespread support. The Armed Forces and other security agencies must be equipped, motivated and modernised to meet global standards. Only then can the country build security architecture capable of effectively protecting its citizens.