The Presidency has denied claims that President Bola Tinubu’s expansion of Nigerian Army divisions is linked to fears of another military coup or plans ahead of the 2027 elections.
Presidential spokesman Temitope Ajayi said the decision was driven by Nigeria’s security situation and the need to move military formations closer to areas facing attacks.
Ajayi said Nigeria’s existing military structure was created decades ago and no longer meets the country’s current security needs.
“It cannot be the result of any coup attempt,” Ajayi said in an interview with Punch.
He said Tinubu was implementing his campaign promise to increase troop numbers and provide the military with more equipment and technology.
About 50,000 personnel have joined the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force over the past three years, according to Ajayi. Another 28,000 personnel are expected to be recruited.
Ajayi said placing troops closer to troubled areas would also help the military respond faster to attacks.
“Instead of relying on a division located several states away to respond to an emergency, new formations will place commanders and troops much closer to flashpoints,” he said.
He cited Sokoto, Zamfara and Yobe as examples of areas that could benefit from military formations located closer to security threats.
The Federal Government has also established three new military training depots in Kogi, Ebonyi and Osogbo to complement the Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria.
Each depot can train between 5,000 and 6,000 recruits at the same time, Ajayi said.
The Presidency said the changes are aimed at putting more troops closer to areas where they are needed and increasing the military’s capacity to recruit and train personnel.
